Room to Read Cambodia and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS) convened their annual conference to develop the strategic plan spanning 2025–2034, with a primary objective of collaborating with governmental counterparts to bolster literacy and improve children's livelihoods.
The conference aimed to enhance leadership capabilities, particularly by facilitating professional growth for global leadership, and also aimed to showcase Cambodia's programs by sharing successful endeavours while gleaning insights from global leaders and managers in diverse contexts. Held in Siem Reap, the conference was overseen by Hang Choun Naron, Minister of Education, alongside senior Ministry officials, Geetha Murali (CEO of Room to Read), and Chea Vantha (Country Director of Room to Read).
During his address, Minister Naron underscored the importance of 21st-century skills, emphasizing the need to equip students with critical thinking abilities and instil traits such as responsibility, adaptability, creativity, and resilience to navigate modern societal dynamics. He highlighted the significance of technological proficiency, including robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), alongside essential qualities like flexibility, initiative, social acumen, problem-solving aptitude, and productivity.
Murali reiterated Room to Read's commitment to deepening collaboration with MoEYS, particularly by sustaining support for teacher training initiatives focusing on innovative pedagogical approaches and curriculum enhancements, aiming to elevate Cambodia's educational landscape. Room to Read Cambodia has partnered with the Ministry for two decades, achieving significant milestones in literacy and girls' education programs aimed at fostering gender parity. Notably, over 2.2 million primary and 21,000 secondary school children have benefited from these initiatives, with more than 9,000 educators, librarians, and school personnel undergoing training in educational programs.
