Cambodia Promotes Digitalization and New Teaching Methods to Enhance Buddhist Education Quality

On the afternoon of July 8, 2026, H.E. Cham Borin, Minister of Cults and Religion, presided over the closing ceremony of a training course for administrators of Buddhist primary schools. The event took place at the General Directorate of National Buddhist Education, Ministry of Cults and Religion. The ceremony was attended by approximately 64 participants, including Venerable Monk leaders, senior monks, and trainees from various provinces and specialized departments under the General Directorate of National Buddhist Education. During the occasion, H.E. Cham Borin praised and highly commended the trainees for their diligent efforts in studying all subjects over the past three days, successfully completing the training course. He stated that the 7th legislature of the National Assembly, under the pragmatic leadership of Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Hun Manet, has adopted the 'Pentagonal Strategy' as the agenda for Cambodia's socio-economic development over the next 25 years. The first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy prioritizes five key areas: Growth, Employment, Equity, Efficiency, and Sustainability, with a focus on five core priorities: 'Human, Road, Water, Electricity, and Technology,' particularly 'Digital Technology,' to respond to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the digital transformation of Cambodia's economy and society. This aligns with the high recommendations of H.E. Dr. Hun Sen, Acting Head of State and President of the Senate, to further promote Khmer culture, traditions, and customs. Furthermore, H.E. Cham Borin emphasized that under the pragmatic leadership of Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Hun Manet, the General Directorate of National Buddhist Education has been provided with opportunities and capabilities to strengthen and expand the Buddhist education sector from primary to higher and postgraduate levels, in line with the policies of the 7th legislature's Pentagonal Strategy, for human capital development to contribute to national construction and development. The government's political program for nation-building and defense for 2023-2028 also clearly outlines the preservation and development of religion, including: 1) Respecting freedom of belief and religious practice, promoting Buddhism as the state religion, and supporting the practice of other religions in Cambodia. 2) Strengthening harmony among all religions and ethnicities in Cambodia, preventing the commercialization of religion, and opposing discrimination based on belief or religion, with the aim of transforming the potential of all religions into a strong national solidarity force for peace, national unity, national sovereignty, and the promotion of socio-economic development. 3) Continuing to strengthen and expand Buddhist education at all levels. In response to the government's political program, H.E. the Minister shared several insights: 1. Knowledge on paper or in computer memory cannot change the quality of monks and students; therefore, trainees should adopt active teaching methods and new lesson plans in their classrooms, while also being adaptable to the specific circumstances of their schools and the learning levels of each student, avoiding rigidity. 2. In the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the digital society, teachers cannot lag behind students in technology; thus, trainees are encouraged to regularly use digital tools (such as creating slides, educational videos, or classroom management programs) to make classrooms vibrant, modern, and attractive to students. 3. The strength of a single teacher cannot drive the entire school to prosper; therefore, trainees should share their knowledge and good techniques with colleagues and other teachers in Buddhist educational institutions for mutual progress. 4. Good teachers not only impart knowledge in literature or mathematics but also cultivate morality, virtue, and good conduct in every monk and student. 5. Global education and knowledge are constantly changing; therefore, trainees should not be content with their current level of knowledge but must continue to research, acquire new knowledge, and participate in regular refresher courses to update their skills and become strong 'human capital' in line with the government's Pentagonal Strategy. 6. Continue to strengthen the quality of Buddhist education at all levels by enhancing teacher qualifications and updating curricula to respond to technology, especially digital transformation and the rapid global and regional changes. On this occasion, H.E. the Minister offered blessings and good wishes to all esteemed monks, Venerable Monks, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, trainers, trainees, and all attendees, wishing them the four supreme blessings: long life, beauty, happiness, and strength, free from any adversity.