Address by H.E. Tol Lah,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister, MoEYS
It gives me the utmost pleasure to present the final report on the Second Education Round Table in Cambodia. The presence of the Prime Minister is especially important. Some of you here today will recall that both the Prime Minister and myself led the First Round Table on Education in late 1994. I believe that this demonstrates the continued commitment to education by the Royal Government.
In presenting this final report on the Round Table, I would like to focus on four main themes. Firstly, I wish to articulate my Ministry's long term vision for education reform, then I would like to summarise the main features of the sector wide planning process over the last two years. Thirdly, I will summarise the main findings and recommendations of the joint appraisal exercise, which has taken place over the past ten days. Finally I will outline what I consider to be the critical next steps, building on the substantial achievements to date.
Our vision of education for Cambodia is that every child and young adult should have equal opportunity for high quality and relevant education. We are determined that access should be independent of wealth, gender, location and ethnic background. The Ministry's planning has been continually guided by this basic principle. We are determined to redress any education poverty trap for Cambodian families and their children, consistent with the Royal Government's Interim Poverty Reduction Strategic Plan and Socio-Economic Development Plan.
Our partners have fully endorsed that Education For All is the top priority. Our partners strongly support the Ministry's proposals that our primary target should be universal access to nine years of basic education as quickly as possible. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank His Excellency the Prime Minister for accepting the position of Honorary President of the National EFA Committee. I believe that this reassures us all of his personal support for our education reform priorities.
There have been a number of important achievements over the past two years of planning. The major challenge has been to focus on the absolute priorities, taking account of available resources. The process has culminated in the preparation of an Education Strategic Plan (ESP) and Education Sector Support Program (ESSP), which set out our priorities for the education sector. These proposals were widely circulated at the recent Consultative Group meeting in Tokyo, providing an opportunity to keep high level Government and international community representatives fully informed on our progress.
Presentation of these documents is only a small part of the actual reform process. For me personally, the more important feature has been the dynamism and commitment of Ministry staff to start planning for fundamental change. I am confident that this shift in the climate and culture of the Ministry at all levels, especially provinces and schools, can be sustained in the coming years. Let me say quite honestly that this has been a difficult but exciting exercise.
As outlined in the Ministry statement earlier, the development of an effective 'sector partnership' has been another important achievement. I think I speak for all partners in saying we are still in the early stages but proceeding in the right direction. I believe that the intensive effort by Ministry, donor and NGO staff and advisors during appraisal demonstrates this growing commitment amongst partners. I would like to suggest that other Government Ministries might benefit from my Ministry's recent experiences in new ways of working together.
As part of a changing partnership paradigm, we have formulated new Partnership Principles, which were jointly endorsed earlier this year by donors and NGOs. I have also commissioned an NGO working group to come forward with proposals on how to strengthen their participation in education development. I am pleased to report that this has resulted in the establishment of an NGO Education Partnership (NEP) as a basis for co-ordinated consultation.
I would now like to summarise the main findings and recommendations of the joint ESP/ESSP appraisal. The appraisal team and today's donor and NGO statements strongly endorse the sector wide approach adopted by the Ministry. The appraisal report also supports the Ministry's stated priorities and programs. The need for increased use of Government's own planning and management systems, alongside targeted capacity building, is also strongly supported, while emphasizing the need for flexible transitional arrangements. On the latter point, my Ministry's own statement endorses this view.
The appraisal report and donor and NGO statements raise concerns over the ambitiousness of the program, and the need for a carefully phased and prioritized approach. Let me say frankly that I feel that the children of Cambodia are entitled to this level of ambition. I very much agree with the need for the setting of clear priorities in implementing our reforms. I believe that the Ministry's innovative rolling program approach will allow for this, taking account of resources available and the annual assessment of sector performance.
The appraisal report also expresses concern over the dangers of unpredictability in resource mobilization and management. I very much share these concerns. On the Government side, the Ministry has used the initial Public Expenditure Plan (PEP) 2001/03 as its preliminary financial planning framework. The increasing share of Government resources being devoted to education gives me confidence that this upward trend will be sustained. Nevertheless, the need for effective inter-ministerial technical and financial planning mechanisms cannot be over-emphasised.
The joint appraisal report also reminds us of the Dakar Declaration that "no countries seriously committed to education for all will be thwarted by lack of resources". I believe that my Ministry has demonstrated this serious commitment. The challenge for our new education partnership is to work together to mobilize the necessary technical and financial resources. In this regard I have been encouraged by the public commitment of support from a number of donors at today's Round Table.
It is critical that we move forward quickly with the implementation of program priorities. The children of Cambodia cannot wait. As outlined by my Secretaries of State, the next step will be detailed planning of these programs in the coming months, alongside assuring that the necessary resources are available. This will be an opportunity to work hand in hand with our partners, drawing on the diverse range of donor and NGO experience and expertise.
Finally, as Minister, I would like to emphasise how much I appreciate the growth in open and constructive dialogue which has taken place over the past two years. As we progress with our reforms, I would like to personally reassure partners that my own door will remain open for further consultation on these important reforms.