Pagodas have responsibility as school in Khmer society

In the past, pagodas in Cambodia are also have responsibilities as the school in the present. Monks are the teachers who teach Khmer language and morality to the children. Cambodian boy can go to the pagoda if they want to learn Khmer language and the morality of which related to the ethic and morality. Today, pagodas still have these responsibilities, especially in the countryside even there have school. I meet a lot of monks that are staying in the pagoda right now are from the poor family and their parent could not support them the study material, so they have only one choice, send their children to live and study with the monks in the pagoda.

If we look at the leader of current Cambodia, most of powerful men in Cambodia today are from pagoda, they live and study in there.

Let’s me tell you about the two different points of Cambodia Education systems of Cambodia in today.

The government has signed for two Education systems: one is public education and the other one is Education in pagoda, students who study in pagoda (monks) can have certificate and study the same subject like public students. Also, have to finish high school in pagoda too. The diploma certificates also have value as public school.

     Monks are walking to school

Monk is studying in Samdach Chuon Nath High School

When the monks finish high school, they can hold their certificate to continuous their study in the university as public students.

Written By: Meng Seaknam