Children at a community kindergarten in Kampong Cham province's Kampong Siem district. - Facebook
PHNOM PENH: The World Bank has greenlit an initiative that will enhance education for over 1.7 million Cambodian children through the Basic Education Improvement Project, with US$105 million in financial support.
The project, funded by a $100 million credit from the World Bank’s International Development Association and a $5 million grant from the Early Learning Partnership Multi-Donor Trust Fund, aims to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy skills, expand early childhood education and improve school infrastructure across Cambodia, explained a press release.
The project will address critical gaps in Cambodia’s education system, where many children struggle to acquire the essential literacy and numeracy skills needed for further education and high-skilled jobs. By implementing evidence-based strategies, the initiative will enhance teaching quality, upgrade school facilities and strengthen education management systems to improve learning outcomes.
“This project reflects the Royal Government of Cambodia’s strong commitment to investing in human capital and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn. By focusing on foundational learning, we are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and prosperous future,” said Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport.
The project will see the development of 60 public childcare centres and 60 new preschool classes, benefiting approximately 2,200 children ages 0–2 and 50,000 children ages 3–5. These efforts aim to support working mothers by providing safe, affordable childcare while promoting school readiness.
Additionally, the project will provide mentoring and coaching to over 37,000 teachers and targeted instruction for students who are lagging behind.
To address overcrowding and improve learning environments, more than 900 new classrooms will be constructed, each of them equipped with gender-separated toilets and hand-washing facilities, added to the release.
“Cambodia’s long-term growth depends on the strength of its human capital. This project will help children acquire the foundational skills they need to succeed in school and in their future careers. The World Bank is proud to support a stronger, more resilient education system that prepares Cambodian children for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Tania Meyer, World Bank country manager. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
