This Education Sector Support Program (ESSP 2004/08) represents another important milestone in the Ministry's education reform process. The ESSP 2004/08 is designed to outline how Ministry systems, programs and resources will implement the new Education Strategic Plan (ESP 2004/08).

As the 2004 sector performance reviews highlight the reform program has become more successful than in the past. In order to achieve the educational objective, MoEYS must be reinforced by broader institutional and financial reforms. The whole process now necessitates continued dialogue with other Ministries, donors and NGO community. This dialogue over the past twelve months has contributed enormously to this revised ESSP 2004/08 document.

The ESSP 2004/08 has been designed to ensure a common understanding of program priorities and resource allocations needed to implement the next phase of reform. The development process has also provided an opportunity to reflect on strengthening institution and capacity building needs, in consultation with our development partners.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen, head of the Royal Government, for his vision and strong support on education and to all officials and technical staff of the Ministry who have devoted their efforts and energies to develop this valuable document. I would also wish to offer my appreciation to development partners, donors and NGO community for their continued support and encouragement.

I believe that the ESSP 2004/08 implementation will achieve further progress in human resource development in Cambodia over the medium term, which will contribute to the achievement of the EFA goals by 2015. This prospect reflects the joint commitment of all stakeholders for the long-term period.

Kol Pheng, Ph.D.
Senior Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport