In past decades, Cambodian student's exam results were based on how much they paid the teacher. Students used to work hard, to have money to pay the teacher. They normally did not care about learning too much.

Children learn how to function in a corrupt system, while they are in school.

Teachers used to earn a fair amount of money.

A number of years ago, a law was passed saying student's final year 12 exam results must be according to how they did in the exam. This is normally adhered to.

There are still students paying teachers, but less than before. Not normally for the year 12 final exam.

This resulted in teachers earning less money.

What happens now is, teachers do not teach everything students need to know in regular classes. To get good exam results, students must attend extra classes. Teachers run extra classes, and can once again make more money.

As a consequence:

When you go to Cambodian villages, you will meet students who have left school, or are planning to leave school. If you ask them why, they will say their family does not have enough money. You tell them school is free, and they will tell you if they dont have enough money for extra classes, will not get good exam results, so there is no point in going to school. Primary school and high school are free, but students need to buy books and uniforms.

This has also resulted in a lot of students attending extra classes, often learning more than they otherwise might. They attend math classes, science classes, physics classes, etc. Most also attend English classes, resulting in a large increase in the number of people studying English.

In most schools, students from rich families always get good results, no matter how little they learn, as they dont want to offend rich people.

Is there any government/ministerial discussion about raising teachers' salaries?

In 2002 many teachers in the provinces were earning around $60-$80/month, and they often worked for 3 months at a time without getting paid, especially in the provinces.

Almost all teachers' salaries have increased substantially. At govt schools classes are large (40 or more). Each kid gives the teacher a minimum 1000 riel, that's $10/day or $50/week extra. No pay, you don't get much attention in many places.

Then there are the kids who want high marks, they pay extra. So it's possible that the teacher is getting $20/day or $400 month before one even factors in the salary or extra hours.

that genius wrote: ↑Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:16 pm In 2002 many teachers in the provinces were earning around $60-$80/month, and they often worked for 3 months at a time without getting paid, especially in the provinces.

Almost all teachers' salaries have increased substantially. At govt schools classes are large (40 or more). Each kid gives the teacher a minimum 1000 riel, that's $10/day or $50/week extra. No pay, you don't get much attention in many places.

Then there are the kids who want high marks, they pay extra. So it's possible that the teacher is getting $20/day or $400 month before one even factors in the salary or extra hours.

Yes, salaries have increased. But, is there any discussion about a further increase to try to reduce the demand to have to pay more to be taught more thoroughly and thus get good scores?
Also, I thought the increased salary was intended to stamp out the 1000 Riel per student per lesson...no?

For those new to the idea, Cambodian society has a hidden side which foreigners are not supposed to know about. It is very important to present a nice image to foreigners. This is only one example.

Most people know police scam people.

Some people know police and criminals work together.

People paid to protect forests, often work with illegal loggers to make money from selling timber.

Girls are bought and sold.

Girls are held captives as prostitutes, as their mother or aunt borrowed money. The girls are captive until the debt is paid off, which may be years.

Cambodian society has an entire hidden side. These are just a few examples. Some things get exposed from time to time.

^ I thought everyone knew about the education system though

Dont expect increasing salaries to stop corruption.

explorer wrote: ↑Thu Aug 02, 2018 1:15 pm Dont expect increasing salaries to stop corruption.

I don't expect anything. I commented on the statements made by the new minister. I queried if it was really still the case that they pay 1000 each or if it had in fact stopped as the minister was hoping to achieve. I didn't word it so plainly. It required some inference.

violet wrote: ↑Thu Aug 02, 2018 1:13 pm ^ I thought everyone knew about the education system though

Some people have very little idea about what really goes on.

I work for one of the high end private universities, so while I cannot comment on the poor education of the provinces I can tell you that cheating as a whole is a huge deal on the university level. Many of the elite enter university with the notion that do not have to work very hard to get a degree and are hit with a harsh reality. We have a very strongly enforced no tolerance policy in that regard and many of the freshman struggle with this initially. I do not even know how many times I have had to attend a meeting about dealing with plagiarism or an essay submitted purely from a Google translate.

Yet, the students here are wonderful once they get over that initial difficulty they shine. Their English is much better than many of their peers from other Asian countries. Hopefully Cambodia can help those in need in the more rural areas, overall more education would greatly benefit the country.