Background
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) convened a high-level review on 8 July 2026 in Phnom Penh to examine the use of contract teachers and progress on transferring education-sector functions to sub-national administration. MoEYS reviewed contract teacher utilization statistics for 2024–2026 and discussed classifications for type-1 and type-2 contract teachers as part of the assessment.
The meeting included representatives from MoEYS leadership, the Ministry of Civil Service, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, provincial and municipal education directors, and the National Committee for Sub‑National Democratic Development. The review recommended updating teacher data-management systems to distinguish clearly between cadre (regular) teachers and contract teachers to improve efficiency of teacher deployment to schools.
Key Developments
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Hang Chuon Naron led the session and received reports on contract teacher use for 2025–2026. Participants examined comparative statistics for 2024–2026, the 2026 status of contract teacher deployment, and allowance (salary) arrangements for contract teachers. The discussion also gathered inputs to define new measures addressing identified challenges while maintaining objectives to improve education quality.
Policy Context
The agenda covered implementation of transferring education functions to sub‑national administration, including responsibilities related to teacher deployment and local management. Recommendations called for a joint policy framework covering both contract and cadre teachers, with clarified teacher profiles and qualification expectations tied to subject areas such as basic literacy and primary mathematics teaching methods.
Operational Implications
Officials recommended prioritising data updates to enable precise allocation of teachers according to school-level requirements, particularly for remote and hardship areas and for early‑childhood and primary grades. The meeting also emphasized strengthening pre-deployment training and continuous professional development for contract teachers to align classroom practice with curriculum modernization and 21st‑century skills.
