In the Kingdom of infinite Wonders, taking exams require: (1) food offering to the spirits; (2) blessing with holy water; or (3) buying cheat sheets ... studying is the last choice

Boeung Trabek High School (Photo Siv Channa, RFI)

High school students pray and get blessed with holy water in hope of passing their final exam

23 July 2011
By Ky Soklim
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Si Sophon
Click here to read the original article in Khmer

"If Hun Sen's government sets out to keep the youth “dumb”, it cannot do a better job after 18 years of power." - Anonymous

Two days prior to the final high school exit exam, young male and female students seem to be very confused. Some went to offer foods to the spirits, others tried to get blessed with holy water, while others are only looking to buy the cheat sheets so they can copy the answer. On the other hand, teachers from the Cambodia Independent Teachers Association (CITA) are calling for an end to the leak of exam topics during the exam day.

At about 8AM on Saturday, 3 female students from Boeung Trabek high schools carried food and fruits on their motorbikes to a spirit shack located near the sport field close the high school.

With smiling faces, the three students said that they are preparing an offering to the spirit in the school in order to ask for wellbeing, as well as to ask for the spirit to help them pass their exams this year. One of the students confirmed that the offering prior to the exam is a Khmer “tradition” that was passed on from one to another. Such offering will help secure the students’ determination and not let them have fear during the exam day.

Another group of students who just completed the offerings said that the offering must be conducted, but the studying must be done as well in order to pass the exam. Another group of students discussed about the merit of being blessed by holy water. Some plan to have their parents pour the holy water on them, whereas another group talked about asking the service of monks instead.

No more exam cheating?

Police beat cheat sheets

Monday, 22 September 2008
Written by Vandy Rattana
The Phnom Penh Post

A girl is told to leave notes and cheat sheets behind at the gates of Phnom Penh's Preah Yukunthor High School early Friday morning. All the school's students had to pass through heavy security checks at the campus on Monivong Boulevard, as security was tightened at high schools throughout the capital in an effort to curb cheating during the two-day exam period. (Vandy Rattana)