Historical Background on Cambodia Education

Group 1Choeun Leaksmy Leap Sreypech Leng Phichchhear Seng KakdaSophal Sochenda

Outline1. The cultural/ political context (By Kakda)

2. Indigenous education (By Phichchhear)

3. Westernization after W.W II (By Chenda)

4. Education in the 1970s (By Sreypech)

5. Education in Present (By Leaksmy)

The Cultural/Political Context

The Cultural/Political ContextKhmer people have been conscious of the reality of their past.

Funan was founded in the first century.

Angkor Empire was founded in the ninth and thirteenth centuries Since fourteenth century, Khmer have maintained a strong adherence to Theravada Buddhist.

Theravada Buddhism Theravada means the teaching of the elders.

Theravada Buddhism and a dharma-adhering monarch have been the twin pillars of traditional culture and society since fourteenth century.

Theravada BuddhismWhat is Theravada Buddhism?The school of Buddhism that draws its scriptural inspiration from the Tipitaka, or Pali canon.

Neak Ta A folk religion of spirit and ancestor worship.

the most omnipresent figure of the divinities which populate the supernatural world of the Cambodian countryside

Neak Ta Belief in the supernatural traditions. the Neak Ta is not just a kind of simple spirit but rather a phenomenon or energy force relating to a specific group such as a village community.

Indigenous Education

Wat Since the late 13th century, Theravada Buddhism

Until the 1950s, Wat or temple-monasteriesServed as the main source of learning Transmitter of culture

Location and function In the center of village and townServed both moral religious and social, cultural, health and education functionLed to the creation of school.

Wat used as SchoolPrimary education: provided for all boys by monk teachers in WAT school.Secondary education: offered in larger WATS attached to the a few palaces in the provincial capitals and the royal palace in the capital.

SubjectBased on the 18th and 19th century accounts, the subjects taught:Reading and writing KhmerPrinciples of Buddhism Rules of proprietySome arithmetic and Various manual arts

During the period of French colonial rule (1863-1953), French introduced the SECULAR SCHOOLTried to replace the TEMPLE SCHOOL SYSTEMIn the 1920s, modernization the temple school with curricula and teaching methods used in the Franco-Khmer state schools

Indigenous Khmer Learning was rooted in an oral culture on the palm leaf, then printed text. It consisted of didactic perceptsPoemsFablesEpics and Legend

Knowledge was valued for moral reasons a

Education was to develop the moral character and transmit the cultural heritage

Non-formal aspects of the village-based education served both as entertainment and a ritual socialization function.

Westernization after W.W II

Westernization after World War II After independence in 1953 NORODOM SHIANOUK ...

French-based education system

The institution of education , like Buddist sangha

In the Traditional system , Wat was called School.

-By 1963 , only 10% were primary school of temple based

-By 1967 , from grade 1 to 6 were taught in Language

Westernization after World War II

Westernization after World War II__ After World war 2 , the secondary school enrolments were increasing : * 25% from 872 students * In 1947 over 13,000 to 125,000 in 1975 __ Higher education , structured & taught in French was begun in the 1960s

Westernization after World War IIIn 1962 , the first university called The Royal Khmer University .In 1968 , there were 14,560 students reported enrolled including vocational , institutions of higher learning .

Education in the 1970s

Education in the 1970sThe convulsions of the 1970sIn 1970-75 : Cambodia was under the control of Lon Nol.In 1969-70 : The changes of the government education.

Education in the 1970s

Lon Nol military defeat in the fall of 1971, the countryside came under the control of the Khmer Rouge.

Education in the 1970sKhmer Rouge Regime (1975-1979)Educational system functioned only in some of the more prosperous and well-run districts.EX: In the district village of LeachChildren were given one hour of instructionThe bulk of the instruction consisted in learning revolutionary 39 songs and dances.

Education in the 1970sRevolutionary songs:Praised the sacrifices of the revolutionary fighterExalted the national causeExhorted ideological vigilanceIncited the people to class vengeance.

Education in the 1970sThe social effects of the civil war

Most educated Khmer fell victim or fled the country to rebuild their lives in the west.Many Khmer peoples remain demoralized, apathetic, or distrustful

Cambodian Education in Present

Education for All (EFA)To universalize 9 years of basic education and developing opportunities for functional literacyTo modernize and improve the quality of education through effective reformTo link education/training with labor market and societyTo rehabilitate and develop youth and sport sub-sector.

Current challengesResources

Gender disparity

Tertiary Education

ResourcesCambodia allocated around 12.4% of its annual budget into education to improve its quality. insufficient staff in schools, poor and few educational facilities, lack of teaching material.

Gender disparityThe number of girls who drop out from secondary education is much higher than the number of boys.

Tertiary EducationWhat is Tertiary Education?- Tertiary education is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school.

Tertiary EducationCambodia's higher education institution lacks world recognition and is currently not acknowledged.

ReferencesRetrieved on 7th October 2011:http://www.moeys.gov.kh/education_system.php http://www.savong.com/SAVONGSCHOOL/EducationFactsandFiguresCambodia/tabid/114/Default.aspxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Cambodia#cite_note-2http://www.adb.org/Documents/CPSs/CAM/2011-2013/cps-cam-2011-2013-ga.pdfhttp://www.cambodialostandfound.com/cambodia-education.php

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