Cambodia Pushes for Multidimensional Literacy Enhancement, PM Advocates for Digital and Financial Literacy

On the occasion of the 26th National Literacy Day on September 8, 2024, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet issued a message emphasizing the importance of enhancing national literacy for the nation's and its people's future. He particularly highlighted the critical role of digital, financial, and information technology literacy. The Prime Minister noted that in contemporary society, beyond basic reading, writing, and arithmetic, skills such as information utilization, critical thinking, problem-solving, digital literacy, and global citizenship are essential. He stated that this aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, "Quality Education," and is consistent with the first priority of the "Pentagon Strategy" for the 7th legislature, which focuses on "Human Capital." Efforts by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport were also acknowledged, including strengthening school governance, developing teacher capacity, reforming examination systems, and promoting digitalization in education. Specific initiatives mentioned were the integration of science and technology subjects in primary and secondary education, STEM learning in higher education, promotion of foreign language education, 21st-century skills training, digital education, and technical education in general and technical high schools. Furthermore, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of providing educational opportunities for vulnerable groups, such as multilingual literacy programs for children from indigenous communities and inclusive education for persons with disabilities. He expressed confidence that these endeavors would contribute to poverty reduction, increased productivity, enhanced family well-being, and the creation of an equitable, resilient, innovative, inclusive, and sustainable knowledge-based society. He called upon relevant ministries, national and international organizations, development partners, communities, and all citizens to further engage in literacy education and other educational activities, both formal and informal, to improve the quality, efficiency, equity, and inclusivity of Cambodia's education system. Specifically, he proposed the development of policies, legal frameworks, standards, and mechanisms to expand the scope of literacy programs, and the creation of lifelong learning programs in digital, information technology, and vocational training sectors. Source: CEN Cambodia