AKP Phnom Penh, October 17, 2025 -- The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has initiated two ambitious nationwide public campaigns to combat persistent lower secondary school dropout rates and expand access to early childhood education (ECE). 

The goal is to ensure every child in Cambodia receives inclusive and quality education.

While the nation has made significant strides in increasing primary school enrollment and child survival rates, a substantial portion of the youth population continues to be left behind.

According to UNICEF data, in 2023, approximately 300,000 children and adolescents were out of school out of a total school-age population of 3 million (2 million in primary, 1 million in lower secondary). Critically, 2024 data reveals a stubbornly high 15.5 percent dropout rate at the lower secondary level, with only 60 percent of adolescents completing this crucial educational phase. The challenge also begins early, as 30 percent of 5-year-old children are not enrolled in preschool.
H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, emphasised the urgency of the intervention. “Improving learning outcomes and reducing dropouts remain central priorities of our Education Strategic Plan,” he stated. “We must ensure that every child not only enters school but also completes it with the skills needed for life and work. We are working to build an education system that is equitable, resilient, and responsive to the needs of every learner across Cambodia.”

Speaking at the launching ceremony in Kampong Cham province recently, Dr. Will Parks, UNICEF Representative in Cambodia, reinforced the commitment to action. “Quality education is not a dream, it is a duty. And the future of our children cannot wait,” Dr. Parks said. “We must act now to ensure that every child is seen, supported, and given a fair chance. That’s why we’re supporting the Ministry in launching these two public campaigns, united by a single goal: ensuring quality education for every child.”

The initiatives are specifically designed to address barriers faced by the most vulnerable populations. Children from poor families, rural areas, ethnic minority communities, and those with disabilities are significantly underrepresented in classrooms; children with disabilities, for instance, are twice as likely to never attend school as their peers.

The two comprehensive campaigns are:

1. An Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) initiative aimed at supporting caregivers in preparing their children for school through growth monitoring, play, nutrition, and preschool enrollment.

2. A campaign focused on preventing adolescent dropout. It encourages students to stay in school and seek support while addressing external pressures such as early marriage, child labour, and lack of motivation.

The campaigns will initially concentrate their efforts in Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, and Kampong Cham provinces, which have been identified as having the highest dropout rates and deepest social inequalities.

To ensure effective reach, MoEYS and UNICEF are distributing practical tools for families, schools, and communities, including educational videos, audio messages, printed materials, and interactive resources. The campaigns will be implemented nationwide through diverse multimedia channels, including social media platforms, radio, television, and extensive community outreach.

MoEYS and UNICEF encourage all government partners, civil society organisations, and media outlets to actively promote and implement these campaigns to ensure that all children in Cambodia benefit from these critical interventions.

By Phal Sophanith