Policy on Career Guidance and Counseling (2021)
The Policy on Career Guidance and Counseling (2021) envisions Cambodian youth becoming competent, confident individuals who can respond effectively to labor market demands with professionalism and purpose. The policy aims to strengthen students’ capacity in developing study plans, career pathways, and soft skills that align with their natural talents and the needs of a technology-driven economy.
To fulfill this vision, the policy focuses on developing structured career guidance and counseling programs within educational institutions. It also seeks to:
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Establish support systems for program implementation,
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Ensure systematic monitoring and evaluation,
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Build the capacity of school counselors and key stakeholders, and
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Provide accessible guidance services for all youth.
🔹 Key Policy Priorities:
1. Strengthening the Legal Framework and Mechanisms
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Develop and enforce legal standards to ensure quality and sustainability.
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Strengthen leadership and management structures in schools.
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Establish robust monitoring and evaluation systems with stakeholder involvement.
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Create incentive mechanisms and clear accountability through action planning.
2. Building a Training and Recognition System for School Counselors
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Provide initial and ongoing training.
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Develop a national qualification and recognition system for counselors and school personnel.
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Introduce technical support mechanisms for school counselors.
3. Introducing Career Guidance at Preschool and Primary Levels
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Integrate basic career concepts and observation of children’s interests, temperaments, and tendencies.
4. Expanding Services for Secondary Students and Out-of-School Youth
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Offer life skills and entrepreneurship education.
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Provide career orientation, counseling, and access to labor market opportunities.
5. Strengthening Tertiary-Level Counseling Programs
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Promote emotional well-being and skill development for productive work and decent employment.
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Implement face-to-face counseling and networking with the labor market.
6. Enhancing Stakeholder Participation and Support
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Engage education authorities, local government, development partners, communities, and families to provide moral, technical, and financial support for implementation.
🔹 Key Implementation Activities:
1. Establishing Implementation Structures
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Form national and sub-national committees and sub-committees.
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Create professional learning communities for school counselors.
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Define roles, responsibilities, and ethical standards for counselors.
2. Legal Alignment
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Review and update relevant legal documents.
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Issue formal decisions by education authorities to authorize program structures at all levels.
3. Securing Financial Support
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Mobilize funding from the Ministry of Education, sub-national budgets, development partners, the private sector, communities, and other sources.
4. Training and Capacity Building
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Train human resources in counseling techniques, planning, leadership, and documentation.
5. Project Planning and Implementation
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Develop action plans for training, implementation, and capacity development.
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Align efforts with research, stakeholder consultation, and national development strategies.
