The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, convoked a meeting to discuss measures aimed at supporting and strengthening the teaching of French in Cambodia. The meeting, led by Kim Sethany, Permanent Secretary of State, aimed to review and discuss French textbooks, science subjects, and measures to support and strengthen the education of French in schools and higher education organisations through the French-Khmer bilingual program. Khuon Vicheka, the spokesperson for the Ministry, stated that the officials had a discussion about the instruction of the French language in the country, both at the higher education and secondary level. They also spoke about the progress of previous and upcoming activities desired to promote the French language.
Since the French colonial period, Cambodia has kept strong economic and political ties with France. Also, France supports the use of the French language in education. According to history professor Sambo Manara, French is an important language for historical and research work in Cambodia. He believes that everything that France did 200 years ago in Cambodia laid the foundation for the country and it is crucial for Cambodians to know and understand the language in order to fully comprehend their history.
Manara stated that the French language is important for trade and diplomacy in Southeast Asian Nations and European countries. According to Phoeung Kompheak, a tutor at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, learning French can be a valuable asset for Cambodians. If they can master both French and Khmer, they can apply for scholarships at French educational institutions to further their studies in France. During a gathering of alumni in France organized by the French Embassy in Cambodia, Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron announced that Cambodia had sent over 1,200 scholarship students to study in France over the past decade.
