On 3 November 2020, UNESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT) and Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) announced the launch of new Basic Education Equivalency Programme (BEEP) learning centres in six provinces. The centres were launched as part of the second phase of the Decent Employment for Youth in Cambodia (DEY) programme with financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
The launch ceremony took place in Koh Kong city and was presided over by His Excellency (H.E.) Dr. Pich Sophoan, Permanent Secretary of State of MoLVT, H.E. Tu Savuth, Vice Governor of Koh Kong province, H.E. Serei Chumnas, Under-Secretary of State of MoEYS, and UNESCO Country Representative Mr. Sardar Umar Alam and Head of Programme, Employment and Skills Development, SDC, Ms. Nadia Ottiger. During his speech, Mr. Sardar Umar Alam thanked the students for their commitment to continue learning, as well as BEEP alumni who upon completion of the programme have enrolled in TVET institutes. Ms. Nadia Ottiger also applauded the commitment of BEEP students, acknowledging that the path to continuous learning is not easy. H.E. Dr. Pich Sophoan further emphasized that, “BEEP is part of Education 4.0. This program is the bridge for dropout youth. It enrolls them in skills training and helps promote poverty reduction.”
BEEP is a successful example of a public-private-partnership in Cambodia. One of the country’s leading telecommunications companies, Smart Axiata, has provided in-kind support to the programme in the form of tablets to target centers and free data to learners to ensure smooth access to information, especially among marginalized populations. Thomas Hundt, CEO of Smart Axiata, said, “Technology is powerful, when combined with meaningful social initiatives like BEEP, it can truly make a lasting and significant difference to Cambodian youth's lives.”
BEEP was launched in 2016 to provide flexible alternative education to out-of-school youth to complete lower secondary education and pursue further education at Technical Vocational and Training (TVET) institutes or technical schools. In an interview with Phnom Penh Post, National Programme Officer, Mr. Kimlay Leav said, “Youth can study with smartphones or travel to destination provinces with BEEP centres to pursue studies. In three to five months, they can receive a basic education equivalent to Grade 9 and can pursue studies at TVET institutes under MoLVT and at technical schools under the education ministry.”
Since its launch, UNESCO in partnership with MoLVT, MoEYS and Smart Axiata, has launched 13 centers, reaching 535 learners. In the second phase, BEEP aims to reach over 1000 learners.