EDUCATION POLICIES FOR ETHNIC MINORITIES IN CAMBODIA Neou Sun, Ph.D in Philology Official of the Pedagogic Research Department Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports Cambodia

LAWS AND POLICIES RELATED TO EDUCATION IN CAMBODIA Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia (Articles 5, 65, 66, 68 and 69). Education Law (Article 24). Sub-Decree (Anukret) No 84 dated August 27, 2001 on the creation of the National Committee of Education for All. Draft of National policy on Development of Ethnic Minorities. Policy for Curriculum Development, 2005-2009. Education Policies

A. HIGHLAND CHILDREN’S EDUCATION PROJECT (HCEP) OF CARE CAMBODIA  The opening of community schools. The schools are all bilingual with initial literacy being developed in vernacular languages, with the national language.  The curriculum is adapted to the local conditions.  The teachers come from the communities and are trained to meet the educational needs of the children in the community.  The time tables are adapted according to farming seasons.  The school are run by Community Board. PILOT PROJECTS OF TEACHING KHMER LANGUAGE TO ETHNIC MINORITIES BY USING MINORITY LANGUAGES Education Policies

continued Original model of bilingual education for Kreung and Tampuen languages in Rattanakiri Grade 1 Local language, 80% (15% math, 35% social studies, 30% language) Khmer language, 20% [oral only] Grade 2 Local language 60% (35% social studies, 25% language) Khmer language, 40% (15% math, 25% language) Grade 3 Local language, 30% (15% social studies, 15% language) Khmer language, 70% (15% math, 10% social studies, 45% language) Grade 4 Khmer language 100% (Source: CARE-Highland Community Education Program-October 2007) Education Policies

Education Policies

Education Policies

continued To provide technical assistance in piloting the learning of Khmer language and numeral in response to the needs and interests of the ethnic communities, and providing materials for teacher training and materials for literacy classes.  To conduct field practices, implementation and evaluation of training and teaching of Khmer language designated for the ethnic communities. Education Policies

 To create the Khmer literacy classes from low to high level and continued  To conduct research on languages and develop script system based on Khmer script for different minority groups.  To develop the materials on “how to speak Khmer” for minority people who poorly speak or cannot speak Khmer.  To create the Khmer literacy classes from low to high level and  To develop text books in minority languages from beginning class to advance level class. Education Policies

Ministry of Education Youth and Sport: ACHIEVEMENTS Ministry of Education Youth and Sport: Collaboration with UNICEF, ICC and Care International - Cambodia: Development of teaching and learning materials, Selection of literacy teachers, Development of NFE curriculum in Bunong, Kreung, Brao, Tampoun and Kavet languages, A committee (Pedagogic Research Dept, NFE Dept, Royal Academy of Cambodia) set up: - provides technical support and advise to ICC and Care on bilingual education, - approves teaching and learning materials and methodologies, Education Policies

ICC and Care International in Cambodia: Meetings and workshops on: - Increasing student involvement, - Teachers’ and students’ problems, Meetings with MoEYS staff on literacy books to get them approved by the MoEYS, Production of literacy books, Construction of evening literacy classes, Construction of village and office libraries with bilingual materials, On-the-job teacher training, Survey of the students and villagers on literacy classes. Education Policies

CONCLUSIONS All Cambodian people, including ethnic minority groups, are encouraged to receive basic education. For ethnic minorities bilingual education is a bridge. It enables school-aged EM children with poor or no skills in Khmer, to learn first in their mother tongue, and then learn to speak, read, and write Khmer, the national language. Successful completion of Grade 4 of bilingual community schools -►automatic transfer to Grade 4 of public schools.

Thank You!