Cambodia Prioritizes Education and Health Investment, PM Hun Manet Emphasizes Private Sector Partnership

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has stated that investment in the education and health sectors remains an essential and priority task for the government, regardless of any circumstances. These remarks were made during the graduation ceremony for students of South-East Asia University, held at the Sokha Hotel in Siem Reap on the morning of July 21, 2026. The Prime Minister stated, "Regardless of the circumstances, we must pay attention to and invest in education and health. We welcome the participation of the private sector, both domestic and international. We want to promote the education sector in the country and integrate it with the global education system." According to Prime Minister Hun Manet, the government welcomes and encourages the participation of the private sector, both domestic and international, to contribute to the development of the education and health sectors in Cambodia. In this regard, the government has an open policy for the private sector to participate in educational development, aiming to enhance the quality of education in Cambodia and integrate Cambodia's education system into the global system. Regarding the health sector, the Prime Minister highlighted the participation of the private sector in providing health services, particularly through the implementation of the B.O.S.S. policy. He emphasized that the capacity of public health centers alone cannot fully meet the needs of the people, thus necessitating shared responsibility and expanded participation from private sector partners. Concurrently, Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed gratitude and commendation to the private sector for its contributions to improving the education sector, from primary to higher education, as well as in vocational and technical training (TVET) at some schools. The Prime Minister welcomed the expansion of TVET training in other private schools in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, creating more learning and employment opportunities for Cambodian youth. However, Prime Minister Hun Manet stressed that the expansion of the education sector must focus primarily on quality. The quality of students and the quality of schools are mutually related, as high-quality students can enhance a school's reputation, and a school's quality reflects investment and development in the education sector.