KAPE hosted the Launching Ceremony on “Improved Digital Education for All Learners (IDEAL)” project in 12 target schools in Phnom Penh (6 Schools) and Kandal province (6 Schools) presided over by His Excellency Ounng Borat, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, at the auditorium of the New Generation School – Prek Leap high school. It was attended by the representatives from the 12 target schools, Directors of Provincial/District Offices of Education, Youth and Sport of Phnom Penh and Kandal, ChildFund of South Korea, KAPE’s Executive Director and staff and Prek Leap high school students.

 

The IDEAL project was aiming to promote digital education at the primary, lower secondary and upper secondary levels in Cambodia by providing students with the necessary behavioural skills and knowledge that allowed them to develop themselves safely and competently in this digital context.

 

The IDEAL project consisted of three-year period which started from January 2024 to December 2026 in two target provinces such as Kandal and Phnom Penh, with a total of 12 target schools (5 primary schools, 5 secondary schools and 2 high schools). The IDEAL project will have a positive impact on a total of 24,410 ending beneficiaries, including approximately 8,000 students and 16,000 parents or guardians, and residents of the target community, 410 teachers and local authorities.

 

“On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, I would like to thank and welcome the initiative to bring digital education project for students covering primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education with financial support from ChildFund of South Korea. The digital education is a need and a current priority of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport is also a priority of the Royal Government of Cambodia of the 7^th mandated National Assembly. This digital education is also a requirement of the teachers’ teaching and students’ learning in Cambodia today. Learning and teaching today are not the same as learning and teaching in the past. Today, it is attractive, active learning and the learning that can be showed off the pictures for teachers, students and schools to see sources outside rather than following the documents in schools only. I believe that today's investment will definitely achieve when the project is ended. I expect that the specialized departments here, especially the Department of Secondary Education, the Department of Digitalization, and KAPE, the closed partner of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport in promoting education in Cambodia for a long time, recognize the ability to implement and lead projects. I hope that both directors of provincial/municipal offices of Education, Youth and Sport of Kandal and Phnom Penh, the 12 principals, teachers as well as students receive benefits from the project. The project will benefit a total of more than 24,000 beneficiaries after launching today,” said His Excellency Oung Borat, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.

 

The 12 target schools will receive laptops, computer labs, Tablets, LED projectors, smart TVs and 21st century library renovations. As a project implementing partner, KAPE will provide ICT and digital literacy training for teachers and school administrators using existing digital literacy curricula such as the Khmer Digital Literacy Training (KDLP) (developed by Meta), Training manuals on media, information and digital literacy (supported by UNESCO) and other manuals from the New Generation School Initiative.

 

“Implementing the IDEAL project to promote education through ICT, I look forward to helping students develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to grow up safely and effectively and achieve digital capabilities in the 21st century,” said Jaekyun Rho, Country Director of ChildFund of South Korea. He stressed that their participation and dedication were the most important factors to make the project successful and sustainable. “Strong support from all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, ChildFund Korea, KAPE, Principals, teachers, parents and guardians,” he continued, “I believe that this project will be successful and will contribute to develop a digital education strategy and the future of Cambodia.”

 

Mrs. Hok Sat, Principal of Prey Speu Primary School, said at the inauguration ceremony, “This IDEAL project is very important because it can help my students know what is new digital? Use of computers, modern libraries similar to New Generation Schools or resource schools. On the other hand, it can help poor students know computer because most of them in my school are poor children. I do not want my students to be worse than private school students."

 

KAPE will provide regular support and work closely with the target school during project implementation to ensure that project implementation and collaboration have been running smoothly.

 

Mr. Hem Sinareth, Director of the Municipal Office of Education, Youth and Sport of Phnom Penh, said, “I am very pleased to be working with KAPE, ChildFund Korea to successfully implement the IDEAL project in Phnom Penh and Kandal. The project will help improve education, knowledge and digital skills for teachers and students.”

 

The IDEAL project will be implemented in 12 target schools for a three-year period from 2024 to 2026, supported by an investment fund from ChildFund Korea with a total amount of 1,000,000 US dollars.

 

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