Cambodia Integrates TVET into High Schools

Phuong Sothiny | Khmer Times

CAMBODIA. Khmer Times (28 March 2025) - The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) will introduce Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as part of the formal education programme in selected high schools. 

This follows a call by Prime Minister Hun Manet for students to be provided a choice between pursuing vocational skills or continuing higher education.

Talking to Khmer Times on Wednesday, Khuon Vichheka, a spokeswoman for MoEYS, said the ministry is currently strengthening knowledge and professional skills in response to the Prime Minister’s request for MoEYS and the Minisry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) to collaborate on human resource development to align with societal evolution as education and strengthening human resource from a young age.

She said MoEYS and MLVT have studied and are preparing an education pathway that responds to learning demands and is adaptable to students’ abilities and aptitudes.

She added that following the Prime Minister’s recommendation, three education pathways will be established in high schools: science, social science, and technical and vocational education.

She also stated that strengthening and expanding career-oriented education and career counselling from the lower secondary level is essential to ensure students can make clear decisions when choosing their study pathway in high school.

The ministry is also coordinating and promoting the dissemination of the National Policy on Occupations and Employment and the Policy on TVET, as well as providing students with opportunities for internships and study visits to understand the working environment.

At the school cooperation level, Vichheka added that the ministry is promoting partnerships between general education schools and technical and vocational training institutions to provide students with additional skills training as part of extracurricular programmes.

She noted that the ministry is also collaborating to promote technical and vocational training and is working with technical and vocational training institutions to organise job and education fairs, as well as forums for career orientation for students.

The ministry also participates in the policy committee and technical committee for formulating policies, including the National Employment Policy, National Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy, and the draft law on TVET.

She added that the ministry is coordinating the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of progress based on specific indicators under its responsibility and is also overseeing the dissemination and training on various policies and strategies at the school level.

MoEYS also collaborates in implementing technical education programmes in general and technical high schools, while TVET institutions cooperate with schools to implement additional skills training programmes outside school hours for students interested in learning technical skills.

The ministry also participates in promoting study and career pathway options and organising job and education fairs. Additionally, it is involved in organising vocational education orientation forums.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the study building and teacher accommodation in Veal Renh, Preah Sihanouk on Wednesday morning, Mr Hun Manet instructed the Minister of Education to guide students in a direction similar to Singapore, especially for secondary school students, to provide them with choices between pursuing vocational skills or continuing higher education.

Mr Hun Manet requested the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) to discuss and exchange experiences on human resource development to align with societal evolution, as education and strengthening human resources from a young age are crucial factors.

He stated that to strengthen the human resource foundation, Cambodia needs to enhance both the skills and knowledge of its workforce.

“In strengthening our foundations, we not only strengthen schools under the MoEYS but also the foundation of vocational training schools under the MLVT. Since the beginning of my mandate, I assigned both ministries to discuss, exchange experiences, and figure out how to align our directions,” he said.

He added that it is not only in Cambodia but also in some countries, such as Singapore, where a certain number of people are sent to study in polytechnic education, while others study general knowledge to contribute to the development of the economic sector.

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