UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

09/10/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/10/2024 03:20

The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport and UNESCO Celebrate National and International Literacy Day in Stung Treng, Cambodia

Literacy is the foundation of personal empowerment, socio-economic progress, and sustainable development. It is a critical tool for individual growth and the advancement of societies. Globally, literacy has been at the core of accelerating progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDG4 on Inclusive and Quality Education. In Cambodia, as the nation strives towards its Vision 2030 and Vision 2050 goals, literacy remains at the heart of efforts to enhance human capital and drive economic transformation.

On 8 September 2024, the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS), in collaboration with UNESCO, celebrated International Literacy Day in Stung Treng province. The event, chaired by His Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport, alongside UNESCO Representative Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, brought together over 1,800 participants, including development partners, government officials, literacy teachers and learners.

This year's theme, "Literacy is the Foundation of Knowledge, Skills, and Innovation," underscores the empowering role of literacy for people and societies. In transitioning from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to Middle-Income status, literacy and skills development are critical.

Over the past decade, MoEYS and its partners have made steady progress in advancing national literacy. School attendance has increased through targeted enrollment campaigns, and improved teaching methods have strengthened students' reading, writing, and numeracy skills. Adult literacy rates rose from 77.6% in 2008 to 85% in 2021. The upcoming Education Sector Plan (ESP 2024-2028) prioritizes literacy as a cornerstone for achieving inclusive, equitable, and quality education. Key initiatives include expanding early-grade reading programs, enhancing teacher competencies, and launching community-based literacy campaigns. The plan also promotes lifelong learning by increasing access to non-formal education for out-of-school youth and adults.

During the ceremony, His Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron read a message from Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Prime Minister acknowledged Cambodia's progress in leveraging literacy as a tool for socio-economic development and poverty reduction. He noted that the country's rapid economic growth has improved living standards and led to structural changes-shifting workers from agriculture to manufacturing and services. Literacy has played a key role in helping individuals fully engage in this transformation.

©MoEYS

The international theme of Literacy Day this year - "Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace" celebrates the role of literacy in fostering mutual understanding, social cohesion, and peace. In a holistic framework linking literacy, language, and the lifelong learning ecosystem, literacy promotes mutual respect while strengthening communal identities and collective histories. This enables people to build peaceful relations with themselves, other people and the planet. By equipping citizens with the skills and global perspectives needed for Cambodia's continued economic and social advancement, literacy paves the way for a more prosperous and inclusive future.

As Cambodia stands at a pivotal moment in its development and continues its economic transition, UNESCO Representative Mr. Sardar Umar Alam emphasized that literacy, especially digital literacy, for Cambodia to build a knowledgeable workforce, enhance productivity, and foster innovation and growth. By improving adult literacy rates, increasing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) enrollment, and expanding pathways to employment, Cambodia can harness its vast potential and further its journey toward middle-income status.

Since 2016, UNESCO has been a leading partner supporting various literacy and lifelong learning initiatives in Cambodia, including the Factory Literacy Programme, which has benefited over 3,500 factory workers-96% of whom are women-and the Basic Education Equivalency Programme (BEEP), which provides over 4,000 out-of-school youth with opportunities to complete their secondary education in alternative pathways and gain additional skills training.