The Education Sector Performance Report 2005 shows that performance in the education sector has improved during academic year 2004-05 and that significant improvements have been made over the medium term since 1999-2000 and the beginning of the education sector reform process, as outlined in the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) 2001-05.

In particular, the sector has continued to experience year on year growth in the numbers of students accessing basic education through attendance in primary and lower secondary schools, as well as increasing enrolments at the pre-school, upper secondary, and higher education levels. These increasing numbers have translated into improved Net Admission, Net Enrolment and primary to secondary transition rates.

In addition, the enrolment growth has been accompanied by a narrowing gender gap particularly at primary level and some reduction in regional inequality as the growth in enrolment rates has been highest in remote and rural areas.

However, these improvements have not been sufficient to meet the MoEYS's targets in some key areas, particularly lower secondary net enrolment rates and promotion rates in primary education. These two areas are closely linked as improvements in primary promotion will lead to greater student numbers able to gain access to the lower secondary level. This is clearly a priority area for further strengthening as present rates of improvement are not sufficient to reach the Cambodian Millennium Development Goal (CMDG) in 2010 nor the Education For All (EFA) targets for 2015.

An additional area for focus in 2006 will be the further development and introduction of Assessment Standards. These will, for the first time, provide a basis for making a national assessment of the quality of education in Cambodian schools. This important development will assist MoEYS's in planning for and providing improved education quality and efficiency and will assist in strengthening the engagement of parents and students in the education process.

In conclusion, 2005 saw further improvements in the performance of the education sector, and the on-going reforms in the education sector will continue to offer further opportunities for improvement.

However, the MoEYS is responsible for preparing the children of Cambodia to be good and productive members of our society, contributing to their personal improvement and our shared national development in a rapidly changing and globalizing world. This remains a great challenge and one that can only be overcome through the collective and concerted efforts of the MoEYS, students, parents, community leaders and our many local and international partners.

Moreover, this important goal can only be achieved with the unwavering support of our political leaders of all parties and the continued prioritization of education as a national goal.