2.1. The aim of the school curriculum is to develop fully the talents and capacities of all students in order that they become able people, with parallel and balanced intellectual, spiritual, mental and physical growth and development. In particular, when students leave schools they should:

• develop a love of learning that will enable them to pursue employment and continue life-long learning;
• have attained a foundation knowledge of Khmer language, Khmer literature and Mathematics;
• have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to improve and maintain their own physical and mental health and to contribute to the improvement and maintenance of the health of their families and wider society;
• have the capacity to manage and take responsibility for their own actions and decisions and be self-reliant;
• appreciate the value and importance of Science, Technology, Innovation and Creativity;
• have employment related skills, an understanding of and positive attitude towards work and a capacity to manage and work effectively and harmoniously with others;
• have the capacity to exercise judgment and responsibility in matters of morality and a commitment to identifying, analyzing and working towards solutions of problems experienced by their families and society,
• have an understanding and appreciation of other people and other cultures, civilizations and histories that leads to the building of a public spirit characterized by equality and respect for others' rights;
• be active citizens and be aware of social changes, understanding Cambodia's system of government and the rule of law, and demonstrating a spirit of national pride and love of their nation, religion and king;
• have an appreciation of and be able to protect and preserve their natural, social and cultural environment

• provide learning experiences that will enable students to learn to know, learn to do, learn to be and learn to live together;
• equip students with the everyday Life Skills they will require to reach their full potential and to be effective and productive members of society.
• enable students to attain a high level of knowledge and skills in the subject areas:
• Khmer language and literature
• Mathematics
• Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth and Environmental Studies)
• Social Studies (History, Geography, Home economics, Art Education, and Morals and Civics)
• Foreign Languages
• Health and Physical Education and Sport
• emphasize active and applied learning in all subjects across the core curriculum, including the study of technology, which is the application of knowledge to improve the quality of life for all citizens.

2.4. The key reforms to the 1996 curriculum evident in this new structure are as follows:

• Simplified early primary curriculum enables teachers to focus on achieving Khmer literacy and numeracy for all by end of Grade 3.
• Definition and clarification of delivery of Life Skills education, including the new Local Life Skill Program (LLSP).
• Integrated studies approach to Science and Social Studies in Basic Education (Grade 1-3) produces quality and efficiencies in teaching.
• The teaching of foreign languages is a priority. Planning to introduce the teaching of foreign languages depends on the availability of resources nationwide. The MoEYS will provide the teaching of foreign languages from grades 5-12 for all students. In primary education, Grade 5 and 6, for the first stage (2005-2009) the MoEYS will encourage schools to offer foreign languages using non-MoEYS resources in the LLSP time.
• Clear structure for the development of Standards in Khmer and Mathematics at the end of Grades 3 and 6 and national examinations in Khmer, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Languages at the end of Grade 9.
• Student choice of subjects at Grades 11 - 12, with increased time for each subject and reduced number of required subjects, to generate significant improvement in graduate quality.
• Clear structure for the expansion of upper secondary provision through public and private partnerships.

• Capacity Building and Human Resources Development "Strengthening the Quality of Education " p.9
  ... continue to strengthen its partnerships with the private sector and the national and international community to enhance and improve the quality of education services, both in secondary level ... consistent with international standards. Source: Angle 1 of the Rectangle Strategy of the Royal Government of Cambodia, 2004
• Improved Quality and Efficiency of Education Services, p.25
  Define minimum standards of student achievement for each grade 1 to 12 and assure a shared understanding of minimum standards amongst teachers, parents and other stakeholders ...

2.5. This policy provides the framework for curriculum development over the period 2005-2009. It is planned that the new curriculum will be implemented using a pilot approach, and will be fully implemented by 2007, with the exception of the teaching of Foreign Languages. It is anticipated the introduction of Foreign Languages will be a staged process completed in 2009. It is intended that this policy be reviewed before the end of 2009, with a view to the development of a revised policy for the period 2010-2014.