Cambodia celebrated the International Literacy Day, 8 Sept 2022 Under the theme of “Literacy is a Bridge to Life Skills and Continuing Education”

Over 2,000 participants from technical departments of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), concerned Ministries, development partners, NGOs, local authorities, and literacy teachers have joined the in-person celebration of International Literacy Day on 8 September 2022. This year, the international theme is "Literacy is a Bridge to Life Skills and Continuing Education". This year's theme is a timely reminder of the importance of literacy as a vital skill to gaining other skills in the perspective of lifelong learning.

Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, commended that UNESCO's non-formal education programmes played an important role in promoting literacy as the foundation of lifelong learning. To reach garment factory workers and out-of-school-youth, with literacy learning and education opportunities had to offer flexible learning so that those working full-time or supporting their families at home can access them anytime, anywhere.

In his speech delivered at the event on behalf of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports H.E. Hang Chuon Naron said, "In order to continue promoting literacy in Cambodia effectively, I would like to call on relevant ministries and institutions, factory managers, enterprises and private companies to provide literacy classes and vocational training for the benefit of their employees and companies. We need to remember that when one is literate, they would be able to think and make the right decisions. Literacy promotes community development. When there is literacy, there would be harmony in the lives of individuals, families, and society."

To meet the literacy learning needs of youth and adults in Cambodia, the MoEYS and UNESCO have been adopting a holistic approach to provide flexible learning through different types of literacy learning spaces, including workplace, community digital, home-based and hybrid. These flexible learning pathways are crucial to ensure equitable and inclusive access to lifelong learning for Cambodian youth and adults.

UNESCO has been working closely with MoEYS in partnership with Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) through its Cambodia Garment Training Institute (CGTI) in providing technical assistance for the development and implementation of the National Policy on Lifelong Learning, and the implementation of the joint flagship programmes - the Basic Education Equivalency Programme -BEEP ( https://en.unesco.org/fieldoffice/phnompenh/basic-education-equivalency ) and the Factory Literacy Programme - FLP (https://en.unesco.org/fieldoffice/phnompenh/factoryliteracy ). These programmes have provided flexible learning opportunities to thousands of beneficiaries with strengthened literacy skills and have empowered girls and women to better understand their fundamental rights.