National Spotlight on Early Grade Maths in Cambodia

“I would like to thank VVOB for supporting the implementation of the math package in the past and in the future as well as to all teachers and stakeholders who worked hard to teach our students to have a solid foundation in reading, writing and arithmetic,” said HE Hang Chuon Naron during the closing ceremony of the project’s refresher training on one of the early grade mathematics teachers’ packages for grade 2, at Hun Sen Achar Lak Practical Primary School, in Cambodia’s Kampong Thom Province, on 23 May 2024.

The Strengthening Early-Grade Maths through Inclusive, Level-Appropriate Education (SMILE) project, running from 2022-2026, is implemented by VVOB in Cambodia in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and is improving mathematics learning outcomes in Kampong Thom, Kampot, and Kep Provinces. It aims to ensure that all early-grade primary school learners, both boys and girls, gain relevant and effective foundational mathematics skills to prepare them for future learning.

Connecting Local Efforts to Global Goals

Through strengthening teachers’ and teacher educators’ pedagogical content knowledge for Early Grade Mathematics (EGM), the project is promoting level-appropriate and gender-responsive teaching skills. These efforts are in line with international educational strategies that emphasise the importance of foundational skills and gender equality in education, aiming to break down barriers and create inclusive learning environments.

During his visit, HE Hang Chuon Naron observed a demonstration class where teachers showcased how the lessons in the training are applied in a classroom setting. What the teachers are learning fits within the recent introduction of a series of national education reforms, including the development of early-grade learning packages in math and reading.

These foundational skills are not only crucial for succeeding in subsequent grade levels but also play a significant role in achieving global educational benchmarks. Early childhood education is emphasised in the SDG 4 framework, which stresses the importance of early learning as the bedrock of future academic and personal success. By focusing on foundational skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic, Cambodia's initiatives are directly contributing to the global objective of enhancing quality education.

Emphasising Teacher Development

In his keynote message, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that effective teaching of mathematics requires creativity, regular use of materials, and thorough lesson planning, recognising that well-trained and resourced teachers are crucial for delivering quality education.

VVOB in Cambodia, through its Country Programmes Manager Roger Cabiles, expressed gratitude for the Deputy Prime Minister’s visit, highlighting it as a testament to the strong partnership and collaboration between VVOB and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Since 2003, VVOB and the Ministry have worked closely to enhance the quality of education in Cambodia, contributing to the global goal of quality education for all. “We support MoEYS in this priority, and through our work in the SMILE project, we hope to contribute to the Ministry’s efforts in ensuring quality education for all,” said Cabiles, underscoring VVOB’s commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education as a critical component of global educational standards.

A Global Vision for SDG4

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education stressed that “teachers need to continually improve their skills,” urging them to strengthen their capacities through attending training and seminars, using video tutorials, and accepting support through coaching and mentoring. VVOB believes that teachers play a vital role in providing quality education. Through the SMILE project in Cambodia, we will continue to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure that teachers are well-prepared, especially in early grade maths.

This commitment aligns with VVOB’s Learning Unlimited. strategy, which supports ministries of education by investing in the professional development of teachers and school leaders, enhancing foundational literacy and numeracy skills, and eliminating barriers to learning.
 

Our strategy includes:

• Strengthening professionalisation structures for primary education teachers through initial teacher education and continuous professional development.
• Developing and strengthening professionalisation structures for school leaders to establish positive and welcoming learning environments for primary school learners.
• Enhancing foundational literacy and numeracy skills as well as transferable skills to prepare learners for their future learning careers and roles in society.
• Implementing initiatives to support learners who fall behind or drop out, enabling them to catch up and continue their schooling.
• Proactively eliminating barriers to learning and other forms of discrimination in primary education.

As we strive towards 2030, we call on all our partners and allies in education to read our strategy and join us in ensuring quality education for all.