Cambodia's University Student Population: A Comprehensive Overview

Cambodia's growing economy and high demand for education have led to a sharp increase in the number of university students in recent years. With 42% of the population under the age of 20, the country's GDP is expected to rise by approximately 7% annually, enabling more Cambodian students to pursue higher education, including abroad. This has resulted in a corresponding rise in universities and higher learning institutes, with a focus on private international high schools that prepare students for the academic requirements of US colleges and universities.

University of Phnom Penh had 4,570 male and 730 female students in 1970

In 1970, the University of Phnom Penh was the largest university in Cambodia, with nearly 4,570 male students and more than 730 female students. The university had eight departments: letters and humanities, science and technology, law and economics, medicine, pharmacy, commercial science, teacher training, and higher teacher training. The university's total student population was nearly 5,300, and it was one of several universities serving Cambodia at the time, with a combined enrollment of nearly 9,000 students.

The University of Phnom Penh, now known as the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), was established in 1960 and is the country's largest university. It has grown significantly since its early years and now hosts around 30,000 students in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university offers degrees in various fields, including sciences, humanities, social sciences, engineering, and vocational courses.

The history of education in Cambodia has been shaped by several influences, including traditional Buddhist education, French colonialism, and the Khmer Rouge regime. Before the 20th century, education in Cambodia was primarily handled by local Buddhist temples, with monks as teachers and boys as students. The curriculum was limited to memorizing Buddhist chants in Pali. During the French protectorate period, a new educational system based on the French model was introduced. However, the French initially neglected education, and the number of graduates remained low.

After Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953, educational efforts became more widespread. Higher education began to expand in the late 1950s, and by 1970, universities with a total enrollment of nearly 9,000 students were serving the country. In addition to the University of Phnom Penh, universities operated in the provinces of Kampong Cham, Takeo, and Battambang. However, the communist takeover of Cambodia in 1975 dealt a severe blow to the educational system, with schools being closed and many teachers and educated people becoming targets of suspicion, harsh treatment, or execution.

Following the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge regime by the Vietnamese in 1979, Cambodia began to slowly rebuild its educational system. By the early 1980s, several institutions of higher education had been founded or reopened, including the University of Fine Arts, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, and the Institute of Technology. The University of Phnom Penh continued to play a significant role in higher education in Cambodia, merging with the Institute of Languages and the Normal Advanced School in 1988.

Three provincial universities opened in Batdambang, Kampong Cham, and Takev

Cambodia's education system has had a tumultuous history, with the country's trajectory of educational development being significantly impacted by political events.

During the French colonial period, an educational system based on the French model was introduced, overseen by the Ministry of Education. However, education was initially neglected, with low enrolment rates and few high school graduates. After Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953, the attitude towards education shifted, and it became widely sought after by Cambodians. This led to a rapid increase in student numbers.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, higher education institutions in Cambodia began to expand. Enrollment at the University of Phnom Penh, the country's largest university, grew to more than 4,500 men and 730 women. During this period of expansion, three provincial universities opened in Batdambang, Kampong Cham, and Takev.

However, this progress was abruptly halted by the communist takeover of Cambodia in 1975, which dealt a devastating blow to the country's education system. Schools were systematically closed, and many teachers fled, died, or were killed. The Khmer Rouge regime that took power is reported to have executed 90% of the country's teachers. The universities in Batdambang, Kampong Cham, and Takev were among the closures, and the entire education system had to be rebuilt from scratch after the Khmer Rouge were overthrown by the Vietnamese in 1979.

The new People's Republic of Kampuchea, established by the Vietnamese, began the slow process of rebuilding the education sector. The Ministry of Education, now known as the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MEYS), took charge of this process. By 1986, several institutions of higher education had been founded or reopened, including the University of Fine Arts, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, and the Kampuchea-USSR Friendship Technical Institute.

Despite the setbacks, Cambodia has shown remarkable resilience in reviving its education system. The coalition governments in power since 1993 have generally supported MEYS efforts to improve literacy rates and access to education, particularly in rural areas. As of 1998, there were more than 5,000 primary schools in operation, with an enrollment rate of roughly 78.3% for children aged 6 to 11. Cambodia's economy continues to grow, and this has had a positive impact on the education system, making it more affordable for Cambodian students to pursue their studies.

20,000 teachers lived in Cambodia in the early 1970s

In the early 1970s, Cambodia's education system was modelled after the French system, with primary, secondary, and higher levels all overseen by the Ministry of Education. However, the communist takeover of Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge in 1975 dealt a severe blow to the country's education system. Schools were closed, and teachers were either suspected, harshly treated, or executed.

At the start of the 1970s, there were over 20,000 teachers living in Cambodia. Only about 5,000 teachers remained by 1980. Soviet sources report that 90% of teachers were killed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Out of 725 university instructors, only 50 survived. Similarly, out of 2,300 secondary school teachers, only 207 survived, and out of 21,311 primary school teachers, only 2,717 survived.

The Khmer Rouge regime lasted from 1975 to 1979, when the Vietnamese overthrew the regime and established the People's Republic of Kampuchea. During this time, education in Cambodia was centred on the precepts of the Khmer revolution, and young people were rigidly indoctrinated. Literacy was neglected, resulting in an entire generation of Cambodian children growing up illiterate.

After the Khmer Rouge regime ended, Cambodia had to rebuild its education system from scratch. Illiteracy rates had climbed to over 40%, and most young people under the age of 14 lacked any basic education. The new government shortened the previous 13-year French-based program to 10 years and modelled the new primary and secondary education programs on Vietnamese ones.

Only 5,000 teachers remained in 1983

The Cambodian education system has had a tumultuous history, with several periods of growth and decline.

In the early 1970s, Cambodia's education system was thriving, with over 20,000 teachers and expanding higher education institutions. However, this progress was halted by the communist takeover in 1975, which saw the closure of schools and the displacement or death of many teachers. By the time the Vietnamese overthrew the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, only 5,000 teachers remained. This period dealt a severe blow to the education sector, erasing the gains made in literacy and education since the country's independence.

During the Khmer Rouge regime, education professionals were subjected to suspicion and harsh treatment, or even executed. Soviet sources indicate that 90% of teachers were killed during this time. For example, out of 725 university instructors, only 50 survived. The curriculum during this time was meagre and focused on the precepts of the Khmer revolution, neglecting literacy. As a result, an entire generation of Cambodian children grew up without basic literacy skills.

After the Khmer Rouge was driven from power, the education system had to be rebuilt from scratch. The new People's Republic of Kampuchea, established in 1979, began the slow process of recovery. By 1986, several higher education institutions had been founded or reopened, including the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, the Agriculture Institute, and the Kampuchea-USSR Friendship Technical Institute. The curriculum during this period resembled the Vietnamese model, and students were required to learn the Vietnamese language.

The rebuilding of the education system continued under the State of Cambodia, which took control in 1989, and later the United Nations Transitional Authority in 1992. Public education was made free for all residents, and efforts were made to improve literacy rates and access to education in rural areas. By 1998, there were over 5,000 primary schools in operation, with an enrollment rate of about 78.3% for children aged 6 to 11. However, many of these schools, especially in rural areas, struggled to offer a full range of grades.

The challenges faced by the Cambodian education system highlight the fragility of educational progress and the impact of political and ideological shifts on the accessibility and quality of education. The recovery process was lengthy and challenging, requiring the collaboration of various regimes and international support.

Cambodia's tertiary enrollment rate was 10% in 2011

Cambodia's tertiary enrollment rate of 10% in 2011 was relatively low compared to other nations. While the country has made strides in education, there are still challenges to be addressed.

Historically, Cambodia's education system has faced significant disruptions. Before the 20th century, traditional education was limited to boys, taught by Buddhist monks and focused on memorizing Buddhist chants in Pali. The French introduced a new system in the early 20th century, which lasted until the communist takeover in 1975. During the Khmer Rouge regime, schools were closed, and educated people, including teachers, were treated harshly or executed. This period left Cambodia's education system in ruins, with only about 5,000 teachers remaining by the early 1980s.

The rebuilding process began under Vietnamese rule, with the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MEYS) taking charge. They shortened the previous 13-year program to 10 years and modeled the curriculum after the Vietnamese system. By 1986, several institutions of higher education had been founded or reopened, including the University of Fine Arts, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, and the Institute of Technology.

In the following decades, Cambodia continued to develop its educational infrastructure. By 1998, there were over 5,000 primary schools in operation, with an enrollment rate of about 78.3% for children aged 6 to 11. However, many rural schools were unable to offer a full range of grades. The coalition governments in power since 1993 have generally supported MEYS efforts to improve literacy rates and access to education, especially in rural areas.

Despite these improvements, Cambodia's tertiary enrollment rate in 2011 remained low. This could be attributed to various factors, including the centralized location of higher education institutions in major cities, the additional cost burden on students, and the lack of recognition for Cambodia's higher education on a global scale. The enrollment rate also reflects the challenges in the education system, such as insufficient staff, a scarcity of schools and classrooms, and the high cost of education, which can deter children from attending school.

While Cambodia's economy continues to grow, with a positive impact on the educational system, there is still work to be done to ensure that all Cambodian children have equal access to quality education, especially at the tertiary level.

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