The Countdown Begins: 7th National Conference is Almost Here!

BACKGROUND

As Cambodia’s society continues to evolve—shaped by technological change, demographic shifts, climate challenges, post-pandemic realities, unpredictable changes in development financing, and global disruptions including conflict and geopolitical instability—so too must its education system. Ensuring that the education sector is responsive, inclusive, and future-ready requires more than solving today’s problems; it requires anticipating what lies ahead and preparing for it with intention. Recognizing this, the 7th National Conference on Transforming Education Paradigm aims to look forward, project Cambodia’s education outlook, and collaboratively determine the next strategic steps—beginning in 2026—to ensure all learners are supported and no one is left behind.

Organized by the NGO Education Partnership (NEP), a coalition of 112 local and international NGOs, this annual national conference builds upon the outcomes of the 6th National Conference, held in April 2025. That event brought together over 190 participants from government, civil society, and development partners to examine key issues including inclusive education, learning outcomes, dropout and access challenges, teacher capacity, and community engagement. Discussions revealed significant gaps in implementation and coordination and highlighted the continued need to prioritize children with disabilities, out-of-school youth, and marginalized groups. These findings affirmed that while Cambodia has made strong policy progress, particularly through the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) 2024–2028, more must be done to translate that vision into practice at all levels.

The 7th National Conference will carry this momentum forward by moving beyond reflection into readiness. Emphasizing dialogue, inclusion, and practical action, this year’s gathering will create space for stakeholders not only to share knowledge but to shape the agenda. In alignment with the ESP’s vision to “ensure all Cambodians have access to quality, equitable, and inclusive education enriched with knowledge, skills, discipline, ethics, good behavior, health, fitness, and lifelong learning,” the conference will focus on what needs to happen—starting in 2026—to bring this ambition to life.

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) has recently reinforced its reform agenda through priority-based budget planning for 2026–2028, as discussed during the technical-level consultation led by H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron in July 2025. The Ministry’s planning emphasizes measurable progress toward quality indicators such as PISA and SEA-PLM results, increased enrollment, and reduced dropout. It also calls on all departments to clearly identify program priorities, technical needs, and implementation pathways.

In this context, the 7th National Conference represents a timely opportunity for civil society, education practitioners, and development partners to align with and contribute to these national reform efforts. This dialogue serves as a platform for all stakeholders to communicate their concerns, wishes, and policy aspirations. NEP calls for active participation and meaningful contributions from all education stakeholders—particularly policymakers, implementers, monitors, and beneficiaries—whose engagement will be critical in shaping practical, inclusive, and responsive outcomes from the conference.

To set the tone for the conference, the opening discussions will focus on understanding the broader education policy landscape, providing participants with a clear view of Cambodia’s current reform direction and global commitments. UN agencies will present Cambodia’s progress on the SDG 4 Roadmap, and the MoEYS representative will present the implementation of the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) 2024–2028, and the Education Sector Roadmap, helping to frame the national dialogue within both regional and international education agendas. Building on this foundation, the conference will explore critical thematic areas influencing Cambodia’s education system today, including the integration of child rights in education as guided by the Cambodian National Council for Children (CNCC); the growing relevance of climate change and environmental resilience in education planning; advancing equity and inclusion for vulnerable and marginalized learners; the evolvement and impact of ICT and technology on education; and strengthening education financing to ensure sustainability, impact, and alignment across sectors. These thematic discussions will reflect Cambodia’s current context while shaping practical, inclusive strategies for implementation beginning in 2026.

OBJECTIVE

1. To generate forward-looking, evidence-based dialogue that identifies immediate next steps for education transformation, beginning in 2026, and aligned with the ESP 2024–2028.
2. To explore actionable strategies for improving inclusion and quality, particularly for children with disabilities, out-of-school children, and underserved communities.
3. To foster meaningful participation from CSOs, educators, youth, parents, and policymakers in shaping Cambodia’s education agenda.
4. To develop a set of policy and program recommendations that can inform national education planning and implementation processes.

STRUCTURE & METHODOLOGY

The 7th National Conference will follow a two-day format combining formal presentations and interactive discussions to ensure active participation from all stakeholders. Day 1 will begin with an opening ceremony and high-level presentations from MoEYS and development partners, highlighting Cambodia’s education progress and priorities. In the afternoon, participants will join two parallel thematic workshops on Child Rights and Education and Education Financing. Day 2 will continue with three parallel thematic workshops on Education and Climate Change, Equity and Inclusion, and Digital Education. Each session will involve 30–50 participants and focus on generating practical recommendations. The afternoon will feature a plenary session to share outcomes and finalize a joint statement, followed by the closing ceremony.

WHO SHOULD JOIN

• Representatives from MoEYS, Provincial and District Offices of Education
• Civil society organizations and education coalitions
• Teachers, school directors, and education practitioners
• Development partners and donor agencies
• Youth representatives and education advocates
• Private sector actors involved in education and skills development
• Face-to-face participation is expected from 250 people.