On the morning of October 28, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met with outstanding students who had earned A grades at the Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Phnom Penh, shared stories from his childhood and encouraged young people to develop independence, responsibility and the courage to face challenges.
Hun Manet recalled that, when he was 12, he once heard his father, Hun Sen, ask relatives to look after his children if anything happened to him while participating in negotiations to end the civil war. At the time, there were also four younger siblings in the family. The young Hun Manet was deeply worried and did not know how the family would be supported if he lost his parents. He used this experience to tell the students that everyone comes from a different family background and upbringing, but everyone must learn to face problems and take responsibility.
Hun Manet also discussed the implementation of education policies. He said progress should not be understood solely through written reports; it is necessary to identify problems and improve work promptly through site visits or direct discussions with relevant personnel. He stressed that sustaining educational measures depends on the joint participation of principals, teachers, school management committees, parents and students.
Currently, 161 schools in Cambodia are implementing key education measures, focusing on strengthening school governance, improving curricula and expanding extracurricular activities, attending to students’ health, and promoting the involvement of families and communities in education. Hun Manet said the government hopes to work with all stakeholders to gradually improve the quality of school education and cultivate students who are knowledgeable, disciplined and responsible.
