About the SE4HC Project
Comprehensive information about the Secondary Education for Human Capital Competitiveness Project — transforming Cambodia's secondary education through innovation, infrastructure, and capacity building.
Project Overview
The Secondary Education for Human Capital Competitiveness (SE4HC) project will support priorities of phase 2 of Cambodia's Secondary Education Blueprint (CAMSEB) 2030. The project's impact is aligned with the government's Pentagonal Strategy to develop high-quality human resources for a knowledge-based society.
Project Rationale
Persistent constraints in secondary education include: (i) low access and completion, (ii) poor alignment with 21st century skills and employ-ability skills, (iii) inadequate effective learning assessment system, and (iv) lack of clear align-ment and flexibility between secondary and post-secondary education pathways.
To address these challenges, the project will employ a STEM-innovative approach, systema-tic institutional and capacity building, teacher qualification upgrading, and the provision of climate-resilient and digital school infrastructure and facilities. This project is aligned with the CAMSEB 2030 and the Education Strategic Plan 2023-2028, which prioritizes equitable access to quality education and seeks to overcome the aforementioned constraints.
Furthermore, it strongly supports the national digital education strategy for schools by building a conducive digital environment, enhancing digital literacy for both students and teachers, and promoting online learning opportunities. As such, the project is closely aligned with the government’s pentagonal strategy to enhance the quality of education, science, technology, and technical skills.
STEM-Innovative Approach
- ✓Systematic institutional and capacity building
- ✓Teacher qualification upgrading
- ✓Climate-resilient and digital school infrastructure
- ✓Enhanced learning assessment systems
Key Components
Infrastructure
- Construct and furnish additional 414 classrooms and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH facilities (including 300 toilets) in 23 crowded schools.
- Upgrade existing classroom to 140 science labs, 111 computer labs, 72 multipurpose rooms, 110 smart classrooms, 38 libraries, and 98 CPD teacher’s rooms.
- Install intranet at 123 schools.
- Install solar panels in 90 schools.
- Establish and equip an integrated Education Data Center.
- Support to operationalization of the Cambodia Science and Technology Center (CSTC).
Capacity Development and System Improvement
- Provide CPD to 3000 Science and Math subject teachers on soft skills and project-based STEM education.
- Upgrade 250 Science and Math subject teachers' qualification to Master Degree.
- Provide CPD to 1000 upper secondary School teachers on Digital Skills and EdTech integration to their subject.
- Improve English language proficiency by providing CPD to 638 teachers.
- Strengthen school-level assessment that reflect 21st century skills and incorporates PISA-style. The CPD will be delivered to 770 USS teachers and 50 inspectors.
- 200 USE students (50% women) from 25 USS per year pursue fast-track courses in digital economy at the National University of Management (NUM-DE).
- Equipping of a digital economy lab at NUM-DE campus to support teaching and learning of lecturers and student.
Inclusive Education
- Develop Khmer Braille translation software;
- Develop a user-friendly Khmer text to speech application;
- Provide scholarships to four NISE teacher educators to take doctorate programs;
- Provide 20 master degree scholarships for teacher educators from NISE and SESS teachers;
- Provide 4 master degree scholarships to 4 NISE teacher educators and SESS teachers in ICT pedagogy.
Expected Outcomes
Access to quality upper secondary education expanded
Construct 414 new classrooms, 140 science labs, 111 computer labs
Upper secondary education alignment with 21st-century skills improved
Provide CPD training to 3,000 Science and Math teachers, Master's degrees for 250 teachers
Quality of upper secondary education learning assessment system improved
Strengthen school-level assessment incorporating 21st century skills
Post-secondary education pathways strengthened
Support Cambodia Science and Technology Center, establish Education Data Center
Project Management Structure
The SE4HC project is implemented through a coordinated management structure under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), with the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) serving as the Implementing Agency.
Project Management Unit (PMU)
Overall project coordination and management
Project Implementation Unit 1 (PIU1) - Department of General Education (DGE)
Secondary school infrastructure development and teacher training programs
Project Implementation Unit 2 (PIU2) - Department of General Higher Education (DGHE)
Post-secondary education pathway strengthening and teacher qualification upgrading
Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC)
Implementing Agency
Project Administration
ADB Loan
Loan No. 4517-CAM(COL)
Loan Effective Date
March 6, 2025
Project Closing Date
September 30, 2031
Implementation Period
6.5 Years