Four Ministries establish EBC to improve quality of education

Four Ministries, comprising the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Information, have jointly established Educational Broadcasting Cambodia (EBC) to contribute and strengthen the quality of education in Cambodia in order to provide better and more comprehensive education for teachers and students across the country.

During a meeting on the progress of Operation and Establishment of Educational Broadcasting Cambodia (EBC) on Monday, Sok Puthyvuth, Secretary of State of Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, stated that the establishment of EBC is very important for teaching and learning for teachers and students, especially during the Covid-19 crisis in Cambodia.

He added that EBC is accelerating digital education and developing education and training in Cambodia. This is a priority activity within the framework of the digital economy and social policy from 2021 to 2035 and the digital government policy from 2022 to 2035 to build an integrated digital society.

Tep Phanychamnap, Deputy Director of Education Broadcasting Cambodia (EBC), told Khmer Times yesterday that EBC is South Korea’s most advanced digital education system and an eco-system for general education, life skills, knowledge and much more. EBC is to provide opportunities for students and teachers who can teach and learn indefinitely.

He said, for example, ‘Blending Learning’ is the practice of using both online and in-person learning experiences when teaching students, along with homework. The establishment of EBC is an initiative of Puthyvuth, who supports and promotes education in line with the new education policy of the government to promote digital technology in education.

“After the successful trial run at Hun Sen Sereypheap High School in Takhmao City, EBC will continue to expand these projects to other schools across the country,” he said.

Keo Seiha, an eighth-grade student at Pursat Secondary School, said that the programme for the above study is good for him and other students because there are a variety of programmes to research and study, especially online which saves a lot of time.

The same students hope that the above programme implementation in junior and high schools throughout Pursat province and expand coverage throughout the country to make it easier for teachers and students.

“I do not know how many online courses EBC have, but the ministries have jointly created them, I hope it will be good and will encourage local students to study and increase their knowledge.”

Currently, EBC are producing digital education content, training and management to contribute to the education sector in Cambodia. EBC have received a grant from the Korean Ministry of Science, Information and Technology (MSIT) and implemented by Korea’s Educational Broadcasting System (EBS).

EBC produces 4,954 episodes of educational content with videos from 7th to 12th grade. EBC have been piloting an online curriculum at Hun Sen Sereypheap High School in Takhmao City, with more than 5,000 students and have set up two classrooms equipped with 25 laptops, 25 tablets and other equipment with internet access throughout the school.