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Showing posts with label Poor education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poor education. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, March 30, 2009
Govt attacks teachers group over scathing school survey [-As usual, all that Hun Sen's gov't can do is: Deny! Deny! Deny!]
Monday, 30 March 2009
Written by Mom Kunthear and Christopher Shay
The Phnom Penh Post
Written by Mom Kunthear and Christopher Shay
The Phnom Penh Post
Ministry of Education calls the Cambodia Independent Teachers Association ‘a group of uneducated people' over its report.
THE Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport lashed out at the Cambodia Independent Teachers Association (CITA) on Friday following the group's release of a teacher survey critical of Cambodia's education system.
CITA claimed that underpaid teachers lead to a corrupt education system where students must pay teachers to attend class, forcing the poorest students to drop out and teachers to lose their social dignity.
In a press release, the Ministry of Education dismissed CITA's findings, calling the teachers association "a group of uneducated people".
In The, the director general of administration and finance at the ministry, said CITA's sample size of 460 teachers out of a workforce of more than 110,000 was not large enough for significant results and questioned how the respondents were chosen.
"I don't know where the statistics came from. It's unacceptable for that many teachers and students not to attend school, but that's not how it works," In The said, referring to CITA's claim that 53.9 percent of teachers occasionally skip school to earn money outside the classroom.
In The admitted that Cambodian schools still have room for improvement but said the picture is not nearly as bleak as the CITA survey suggests.
"Education in our country today is better than before because there are more schools, and we are still building more in people's communities."
But Rong Chhun, the president of CITA, said the Ministry of Education simply does not want to admit how poor the quality of schooling is in the Kingdom.
"The Ministry of Education's press release shows they just want to hide their weaknesses. They do not dare accept the truths about the system they created," he said Sunday.
Despite the government's dismissal of their conclusions, CITA is not alone in stressing the need to raise salaries.
The NGO Education Partnership said in a December 2008 report that raising teacher salaries was a "top priority".
"It is impossible to earn a living on a teacher's salary in Cambodia," the group said.
THE Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport lashed out at the Cambodia Independent Teachers Association (CITA) on Friday following the group's release of a teacher survey critical of Cambodia's education system.
CITA claimed that underpaid teachers lead to a corrupt education system where students must pay teachers to attend class, forcing the poorest students to drop out and teachers to lose their social dignity.
In a press release, the Ministry of Education dismissed CITA's findings, calling the teachers association "a group of uneducated people".
In The, the director general of administration and finance at the ministry, said CITA's sample size of 460 teachers out of a workforce of more than 110,000 was not large enough for significant results and questioned how the respondents were chosen.
"I don't know where the statistics came from. It's unacceptable for that many teachers and students not to attend school, but that's not how it works," In The said, referring to CITA's claim that 53.9 percent of teachers occasionally skip school to earn money outside the classroom.
In The admitted that Cambodian schools still have room for improvement but said the picture is not nearly as bleak as the CITA survey suggests.
"Education in our country today is better than before because there are more schools, and we are still building more in people's communities."
But Rong Chhun, the president of CITA, said the Ministry of Education simply does not want to admit how poor the quality of schooling is in the Kingdom.
"The Ministry of Education's press release shows they just want to hide their weaknesses. They do not dare accept the truths about the system they created," he said Sunday.
Despite the government's dismissal of their conclusions, CITA is not alone in stressing the need to raise salaries.
The NGO Education Partnership said in a December 2008 report that raising teacher salaries was a "top priority".
"It is impossible to earn a living on a teacher's salary in Cambodia," the group said.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Island’s Education Suffers Under Isolation
Parents often pull their children out of primary schools on Koh Rong, preferring they help fish or farm.By Vohar Cheat, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
04 November 2008
Behind the voices of students, the noise of the sea spread over high grass, the classroom and a nearby pagoda. Surrounded by beaches and mountain forest and imbued with fresh air, Prek Svay, one of only five primary schools on the island of Koh Rong, would seem like an ideal place to study. Unfortunately, the island’s education system is poor.
The schools here in fact lack both teachers and students. Teachers are hard to find, and students are hard to keep.
Third-grade teacher Pho Sokhem, 26, said he spent $200 of his own money to build a small hut on the school grounds, where he lives with his wife and two-year-old son. Other teachers live in the houses of local officials and villagers, or with monks.
“I spent my own money to buy timbers and peeled-skin trees to build a hut,” Pho Sokhem said. “That is my hut.” He pointed to a small cottage. “Some [teachers] stay at the pagoda and some stay and eat with me.”
Ing Bunna, deputy chief of Sihanoukville’s education department, said the government had asked local authorities to put up some teachers, free of charge, because it lacked the money to build them accommodation. The government also pays a 40,000 riel allowance, about $10, to supplement the 200,000 riel wage, about $50 a month.
Teachers on this island say the 40,000 riel is not enough to assuage the loneliness of the outpost, where some live without the company of family and must spend a lot of money to visit the mainland.
“It is hard to live with little salary here,” said Set Tik, 26, another teacher. “We live far away from home. The transportation cost to visit home is expensive. The food here is expensive. I stay with a nun, and we share meals.”
Schools are up to 40 kilometers apart. Some are inaccessible by roads. The isolation has caused some teachers to renege on their contracts, Ing Bunna said. It has also made it impossible to establish a secondary school. For that, students must travel to Sihanoukville or beyond.
If it is hard to keep teachers here, it is also hard to keep students. Parents often pull their children out of school in order to help them make a living.
Teachers on the island estimated 35 percent of students quit school in 2007, a year when there were only 374 to start with.
“I wish I could have studied as high as possible,” said Kou Moykea, 18, who was among those who quit last year. “But my parents forced me to help them farm and fish, and baby-sit besides.”
The schools here in fact lack both teachers and students. Teachers are hard to find, and students are hard to keep.
Third-grade teacher Pho Sokhem, 26, said he spent $200 of his own money to build a small hut on the school grounds, where he lives with his wife and two-year-old son. Other teachers live in the houses of local officials and villagers, or with monks.
“I spent my own money to buy timbers and peeled-skin trees to build a hut,” Pho Sokhem said. “That is my hut.” He pointed to a small cottage. “Some [teachers] stay at the pagoda and some stay and eat with me.”
Ing Bunna, deputy chief of Sihanoukville’s education department, said the government had asked local authorities to put up some teachers, free of charge, because it lacked the money to build them accommodation. The government also pays a 40,000 riel allowance, about $10, to supplement the 200,000 riel wage, about $50 a month.
Teachers on this island say the 40,000 riel is not enough to assuage the loneliness of the outpost, where some live without the company of family and must spend a lot of money to visit the mainland.
“It is hard to live with little salary here,” said Set Tik, 26, another teacher. “We live far away from home. The transportation cost to visit home is expensive. The food here is expensive. I stay with a nun, and we share meals.”
Schools are up to 40 kilometers apart. Some are inaccessible by roads. The isolation has caused some teachers to renege on their contracts, Ing Bunna said. It has also made it impossible to establish a secondary school. For that, students must travel to Sihanoukville or beyond.
If it is hard to keep teachers here, it is also hard to keep students. Parents often pull their children out of school in order to help them make a living.
Teachers on the island estimated 35 percent of students quit school in 2007, a year when there were only 374 to start with.
“I wish I could have studied as high as possible,” said Kou Moykea, 18, who was among those who quit last year. “But my parents forced me to help them farm and fish, and baby-sit besides.”
Friday, May 02, 2008
US Dept of State: Cambodia is vulnerable to terrorists and terrorist influence
Country Reports on Terrorism
Released by the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism
April 30, 2008
Source: US Department of State
Chapter 2 -- Country Reports: East Asia and Pacific Overview
Cambodia
Released by the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism
April 30, 2008
Source: US Department of State
Chapter 2 -- Country Reports: East Asia and Pacific Overview
Cambodia
Cambodia's political leadership demonstrated a strong commitment to take aggressive legal action against terrorists. However, Cambodia's ability to investigate potential terrorist activities was limited by a lack of training and resources. The government passed a counterterrorism law and a law to combat terrorist financing, and comprehensive domestic legislation has been promulgated and implemented. To date, the Cambodian government has fully cooperated with United States counterterrorism efforts on many levels, despite its limited resources.
Conditions in Cambodia, such as porous borders, endemic corruption, massive poverty, high unemployment, a poor education system, and disaffected elements within the Cham Muslim population, which makes up approximately five percent of the population, could make the country vulnerable to terrorists and terrorist influence. Although the Cham were not generally politically active, the Cambodian government feared that Cham areas might provide safe haven to terrorists. For example, Hambali, the Indonesian national and key member of Jemaah Islamiya accused of involvement in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, took refuge in a Muslim school in Kandal Province in 2002-2003.
One violent group among the many peaceful and law-abiding Kampuchea Khmer Krom groups attempted to blow up the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship memorial using three improvised explosive devices in July, providing evidence that terrorist groups were capable of conducting domestic attacks in Cambodia. Although no one was injured, the Cambodian government thoroughly investigated this case, and eventually arrested and jailed the responsible individuals.
Cambodia's National Counterterrorism Committee (NCTC), a policy level decision making body established by the government in 2005 and chaired by the prime minister, continued to develop its resources. In December, several NCTC officials traveled to the United States for USG consultations.
In July, Cambodia's Senate approved a Counterterrorism Law after it was passed by Cambodia's National Assembly on June 26. On July 20, following the Senate’s approval, the King enacted the law, which addressed aircraft safety, maritime navigation safety, the protection of nuclear materials, the financing and provision of material support to terrorism, and other important issues affecting national security and safety. It also implemented measures to enhance international cooperation regarding terrorism offenses.
In June, the Cambodian government enacted the Law on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism. The government was also working on decrees and sub-decrees to bring these counterterrorism laws fully into effect. In addition, the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) circulated nationwide the UN Security Council lists of individuals and entities involved in global terrorism. The NBC officially instructed all financial and banking institutions operating in Cambodia to scrutinize and freeze assets of these persons and entities.
The Australian and Cambodian governments jointly sponsored a Maritime Security seminar in November to train Cambodian military, police, and other officials. At this seminar, Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that Cambodia's maritime security is a priority in fighting against drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, crossborder crimes, and piracy. He added that cooperation with international partners to combat terrorism and crossborder criminals had improved. As part of ongoing cooperation on counterterrorism capacity-building, training was conducted with elements of the U.S. military in conjunction with the USS Essex ship visit to Cambodia.
In June, the Royal Government of Cambodia designated three government focal points to work on the multilateral Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, co-chaired by the United States and the Russian Federation. The government strictly controlled the use of weapons, explosive devices, chemical substances, and radioactive materials.
With U.S. assistance, the Government of Cambodia installed computerized border control systems at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, and at the land border crossing of Poipet and Koh Kong. There are 20 land border checkpoints. During a November International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) assessment visit by the U.S. Coast Guard, various Port security officials expressed a need for additional USG-funded training, tactical equipment, and technical materials in order to continue improving security standards. The Cambodian government also cooperated fully with U.S. requests to monitor terrorists and terrorist entities listed as supporters of terrorist financing.
The Cambodian government cooperated with a number of other governments on counterterrorism issues. The FBI conducted a "Major Case Management" course in Cambodia which reviewed Cambodia's new Criminal Procedures Law, instructed best practices in evaluating evidence, and increased the government's investigative capacity. Counterterrorism training was also provided by Singapore, Australia, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The Germans, as G8 President, convened a local CTAG (the G8’s Counterterrorism Action Group) meeting December 13, to exchange views on the nature of the terrorist threat in Cambodia and the region; to share information about assistance programs in Cambodia building capacity and countering terrorist threats; to discuss the question of whether the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) "menu of services" included any activities of interest to donors; to hear a readout of the Australian-sponsored maritime security seminar; and to exchange information on the National Counterterrorism Committee.
Conditions in Cambodia, such as porous borders, endemic corruption, massive poverty, high unemployment, a poor education system, and disaffected elements within the Cham Muslim population, which makes up approximately five percent of the population, could make the country vulnerable to terrorists and terrorist influence. Although the Cham were not generally politically active, the Cambodian government feared that Cham areas might provide safe haven to terrorists. For example, Hambali, the Indonesian national and key member of Jemaah Islamiya accused of involvement in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, took refuge in a Muslim school in Kandal Province in 2002-2003.
One violent group among the many peaceful and law-abiding Kampuchea Khmer Krom groups attempted to blow up the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship memorial using three improvised explosive devices in July, providing evidence that terrorist groups were capable of conducting domestic attacks in Cambodia. Although no one was injured, the Cambodian government thoroughly investigated this case, and eventually arrested and jailed the responsible individuals.
Cambodia's National Counterterrorism Committee (NCTC), a policy level decision making body established by the government in 2005 and chaired by the prime minister, continued to develop its resources. In December, several NCTC officials traveled to the United States for USG consultations.
In July, Cambodia's Senate approved a Counterterrorism Law after it was passed by Cambodia's National Assembly on June 26. On July 20, following the Senate’s approval, the King enacted the law, which addressed aircraft safety, maritime navigation safety, the protection of nuclear materials, the financing and provision of material support to terrorism, and other important issues affecting national security and safety. It also implemented measures to enhance international cooperation regarding terrorism offenses.
In June, the Cambodian government enacted the Law on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism. The government was also working on decrees and sub-decrees to bring these counterterrorism laws fully into effect. In addition, the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) circulated nationwide the UN Security Council lists of individuals and entities involved in global terrorism. The NBC officially instructed all financial and banking institutions operating in Cambodia to scrutinize and freeze assets of these persons and entities.
The Australian and Cambodian governments jointly sponsored a Maritime Security seminar in November to train Cambodian military, police, and other officials. At this seminar, Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that Cambodia's maritime security is a priority in fighting against drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, crossborder crimes, and piracy. He added that cooperation with international partners to combat terrorism and crossborder criminals had improved. As part of ongoing cooperation on counterterrorism capacity-building, training was conducted with elements of the U.S. military in conjunction with the USS Essex ship visit to Cambodia.
In June, the Royal Government of Cambodia designated three government focal points to work on the multilateral Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, co-chaired by the United States and the Russian Federation. The government strictly controlled the use of weapons, explosive devices, chemical substances, and radioactive materials.
With U.S. assistance, the Government of Cambodia installed computerized border control systems at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, and at the land border crossing of Poipet and Koh Kong. There are 20 land border checkpoints. During a November International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) assessment visit by the U.S. Coast Guard, various Port security officials expressed a need for additional USG-funded training, tactical equipment, and technical materials in order to continue improving security standards. The Cambodian government also cooperated fully with U.S. requests to monitor terrorists and terrorist entities listed as supporters of terrorist financing.
The Cambodian government cooperated with a number of other governments on counterterrorism issues. The FBI conducted a "Major Case Management" course in Cambodia which reviewed Cambodia's new Criminal Procedures Law, instructed best practices in evaluating evidence, and increased the government's investigative capacity. Counterterrorism training was also provided by Singapore, Australia, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The Germans, as G8 President, convened a local CTAG (the G8’s Counterterrorism Action Group) meeting December 13, to exchange views on the nature of the terrorist threat in Cambodia and the region; to share information about assistance programs in Cambodia building capacity and countering terrorist threats; to discuss the question of whether the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) "menu of services" included any activities of interest to donors; to hear a readout of the Australian-sponsored maritime security seminar; and to exchange information on the National Counterterrorism Committee.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
"I would like to call for the current government to maintain real independence, not just independence by lip service": English teacher Ly Ry
On Independence Day, a Refurbished Monument, Little Real Progress
By VOA Khmer Stringers
Original reports from Phnom Penh
09 November 2007
Reigning King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen and other top officials attended the ceremonies, along with a crowd of 20,000 people. Former king Norodom Sihanouk, who was the monarch when Cambodia was left 90 years of French rule, was not in attendance.
King Sihamoni lit a torch inside the Independence Monument to celebrate the break, in 1953, as students and other Cambodians looked on. Many said that Cambodia had backslid following independence.
"I would like to call for the current government to maintain real independence, not just independence by lip service," said Ly Ry, an English teacher in Phnom Penh. "I request that the leadership be independent, just like the independence we achieved in 1953."
Noranarith Anandayat, secretary-general of the Norodom Ranariddh Party, said the country had declined since achievements following its independence.
"Universities, hospitals, schools and so on have gradually been destroyed by concurrent governments," he said. "These are the biggest worries of the party. Nevertheless, we still congratulate the independence claimed by Norodom Sihanouk without bloodshed."
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the party should have more pressing concerns.
"At the moment what I'm worried about most is the fate of the Norodom Ranariddh Party," he said, referring to next year's national elections. "We're worried that this party is not going get any seat in the parliament. We want them to get one or two seats."
Chun Sary, a 63-year-old retired government employee, said times had gotten worse since independence.
"Back then, the Ministry of Education was called the Ministry of Studies, and teachers' salaries were the highest among all the government positions," he said. "And that is the reason students tried hard in their studies. Farmers experienced no starvation. They cultivated once for three to five years worth of food."
By VOA Khmer Stringers
Original reports from Phnom Penh
09 November 2007
"At the moment what I'm worried about most is the fate of the Norodom Ranariddh Party ... We're worried that this party is not going get any seat in the parliament. We want them to get one or two seats" - Concerns of Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information and government spokesmanCambodia celebrated its 54th Independence Day Friday with the release of doves and the dedication of a refurbished monument in Phnom Penh, as some observers bemoaned the current state of the country.
Reigning King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen and other top officials attended the ceremonies, along with a crowd of 20,000 people. Former king Norodom Sihanouk, who was the monarch when Cambodia was left 90 years of French rule, was not in attendance.
King Sihamoni lit a torch inside the Independence Monument to celebrate the break, in 1953, as students and other Cambodians looked on. Many said that Cambodia had backslid following independence.
"I would like to call for the current government to maintain real independence, not just independence by lip service," said Ly Ry, an English teacher in Phnom Penh. "I request that the leadership be independent, just like the independence we achieved in 1953."
Noranarith Anandayat, secretary-general of the Norodom Ranariddh Party, said the country had declined since achievements following its independence.
"Universities, hospitals, schools and so on have gradually been destroyed by concurrent governments," he said. "These are the biggest worries of the party. Nevertheless, we still congratulate the independence claimed by Norodom Sihanouk without bloodshed."
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the party should have more pressing concerns.
"At the moment what I'm worried about most is the fate of the Norodom Ranariddh Party," he said, referring to next year's national elections. "We're worried that this party is not going get any seat in the parliament. We want them to get one or two seats."
Chun Sary, a 63-year-old retired government employee, said times had gotten worse since independence.
"Back then, the Ministry of Education was called the Ministry of Studies, and teachers' salaries were the highest among all the government positions," he said. "And that is the reason students tried hard in their studies. Farmers experienced no starvation. They cultivated once for three to five years worth of food."
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