PHNOM PENH, Nov. 17– Cambodia and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday launched a national case study showing that more boys disengaged from school than girls.
Over the past five years, more girls have been enrolling in school compared to boys, highlighting the progress made in girls’ empowerment while raising concerns about boys’ disengagement, the study said. In the 2024 school year, the enrolment rate was 65 percent for girls and 57 percent for boys, it said, adding that dropout remains a challenge that affects boys more significantly.
“On average, 17 percent of boys dropped out at the secondary school level, compared to 13 percent of girls,” the study said. This country case study used both data and direct consultations, including interviews and group discussions with students, parents, teachers, school leaders, community members, and education officials.
The study found that boys’ disengagement from education in Cambodia is driven by interconnected factors at multiple levels, including individual, family, school, community and policy levels.
“These factors include poor study habits and reluctance to seek help among boys, economic and cultural pressures at home, limited school support and resources, community expectations that prioritize work over education, and national policies that have unintentionally overlooked these vulnerabilities, all contributing to higher dropout rates among boys,” the study said.
The report calls for a holistic strategy to keep boys in school and enhance their learning by strengthening foundational literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills, the study said, adding that upgrading rural school infrastructure, improving teacher recruitment and training, and expanding extracurricular activities are essential.
We must make sure that all girls and boys have equal chances to learn and succeed, said Bo Chankoulika, an undersecretary of state for the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport.
“The findings in this study offer concrete solutions to address gender inequality and promote inclusiveness in education,” she added.
Matthias Eck, a program specialist in UNESCO’s Section of Education for Inclusion and Gender Equality, said addressing boys’ disengagement from education and negative masculinity is important to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education, which promotes gender equality and inclusive quality education for all.
