Background
The Royal Government promulgated a Royal Decree on the “Criteria for the Teacher Cadre” on 30 May 2026 to consolidate the organisation and management of education personnel across the public service. The decree creates a unified civil-service framework intended to replace fragmented personnel management practices and to align teacher classification with qualifications and teaching level.
The decree establishes a single teacher management category, referred to in Khmer as “ក” (Category K), subdivided into three levels that correspond to qualification and the level of teaching service. The Royal Decree sets an effective date of 1 January 2027 for the new criteria to take force.
Scope of Application
The decree applies to all education personnel who have received formal education, professional training, or orientation courses and who are actively performing duties in the education sector. Coverage explicitly includes staff working in schools, units of the Ministry of Education and other national institutions, and subnational administrations responsible for education.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The decree defines a clear hierarchical structure for teachers by grouping education personnel into Category K with three sub-levels described as “ឧត្តម” (advanced), “មូលដ្ឋាន” (basic), and “បឋម” (primary). It introduces mechanisms for classification and incentives aimed at harmonising career paths and professional standards across pre-school, primary, and secondary education streams.
Implications for Compliance
Civil-service HR units and education administrations will need to update personnel records and classification systems to reflect Category K and its sub-levels before the 1 January 2027 effective date. Teachers and local administrations should review qualification records and training credentials to determine placement under the new structure.
Official Source
Source: Ministry of Civil Service post (30 May 2026). Original announcement and text available at: https://www.facebook.com/CivilServiceCambodia/posts/pfbid02x7p252YvFkV88PDythaBCLAHfLGWfzpWKEpdQhchQiEChmZ39ijAwBT32qdPjPyFl
