Cambodia/Meeting ceremony: French teaching program in Cambodia

A meeting ceremony dedicated to the bilingual French teaching program in LV1 and LV2, in Phnom Penh and Kandal province, was held on December 18, 2025 at the Preah Sisowath high school in Phnom Penh.

The event brought together the Phnom Penh Municipal Department of Education, principals, teachers of French and students from secondary schools in Phnom Penh and Kandal province implementing the program.ais teachers and students from secondary schools in Phnom Penh and Kandal province implementing the program.

The ceremony was presided over by His Excellency Mr. HANG Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports. In his speech, he underlined the strategic role of French language teaching in the development of Cambodia's education system.ducational system, as a lever for cultural openness, employability, international cooperation and the pursuit of higher education.

On this occasion, His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister made a number of key recommendations aimed at enhancing the quality, visibility and attractiveness of French teaching/learning. In particular, he stressed the need to disseminate the advantages and opportunities offered by mastery of French, so as to better inform students, parents and the educational community of the academic and professional prospects offered by this language.

He encouraged the creation of French study clubs, the refurbishment of modernized classrooms, the strengthening of career guidance, the promotion of university scholarships, and the reinforcement of initial and in-service training for French teachers. It also recommended the creation of additional promotional content and a review of core French methods to improve their effectiveness and pedagogical relevance.

With regard to pedagogical excellence, His Excellency encouraged the organization of a model competition for French-Khmer bilingual classes, aimed at highlighting best practices and educational innovation. He also proposed the creation of an annual prize to reward qualified and deserving teachers of French, saying that the official presentation of these awards would be held at the end of the year.The official presentation of these awards will take place during the National Educational Congress, to ensure national institutional recognition.

The Deputy Prime Minister also praised the close partnership between the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEJS) and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), notably in the organization of Francophone tours in bilingual high schools. He praised this joint initiative, which contributes actively to promoting the French language, motivating students and strengthening educational cooperation between national and international players.

The ceremony was attended by the representative of AUF - Cambodia, as well as representatives of AUF member institutions of higher education, testifying to AUF's ongoing commitment to the promotion of the French language in Cambodia.The ceremony was attended by the representative of the AUF - Cambodia, as well as representatives of AUF member institutions of higher education, testifying to the constant commitment of the AUF and its partners to the promotion of French and the development of bridges between secondary and higher education.

Source: www.auf.org/