EMBASSY OF INDIA

PHNOM PENH

PRESS RELEASE

Inaugural Ceremony of two school buildings for children studying from Grade 1-6, at Wat Porthisat Primary school, under Quick Impact Project (QIP) scheme of the Government of India.

1. On 28th October, 2021, H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Royal Government of Cambodia and H.E. Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia , attended the inaugural ceremony of the two school buildings for children studying at Wat Porthisat Primary school, Kandal Province. This project was undertaken as a part of the Government of India’s Quick Impact Project (QIP) Scheme, under the framework of Mekong Ganga Cooperation. The event was also attended by Principal, teachers, school children and the media personnel.

2. The Government of India cooperates with the Royal Government of Cambodia on many grant assistance programmes that contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the people of Cambodia. Under QIP Scheme, the Government of India implements 10 projects every year in Cambodia by providing a funding of up to USD 50,000/- each per project. Since 2015-16, the Government of India has approved 39 projects in the fields of IT, agriculture, health, sanitation, women’s empowerment, child welfare, rural development, social infrastructure (including capacity building), environment, etc. Out of 39 projects, 21 projects have already been completed and the remaining 18 projects are at various stages of execution. These projects have received overwhelming response and created a distinct and visible impact among the beneficiaries.

3. Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs, thanked the Government of India and Embassy of India for providing grants for construction of the school buildings that will benefit students and the teachers. Dr. Phavi stated that relationship between Cambodia and India is centuries old and thanked Government of India for these projects, assisting Cambodia in moving forward towards women’s empowerment and gender equality. Dr. Phavi also stated that the Royal Government of Cambodia gives high priority to the education, training and human resources development, that will accelerate the process of Cambodia’s vision of becoming a high middle-income country by 2030. Dr. Phavi further stated that early childhood education is an important foundation for individual development. Dr. Phavi urged the teachers to contribute towards shifting the education from traditional literacy to digital literacy. Dr. Phavi further stated that both countries will continue to cooperate and expand the scope of implementation of QIP.

4. H.E. Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India recalled the age old bonds of friendship,linkages, shared culture & heritage, between India and Cambodia. Ambassador explained the various development initiatives of the Government of India, carried out in Cambodia, under various bilateral and multilateral frameworks, including under Mekong Ganga Cooperation framework. Ambassador stated that this project will lead to improvement in academic performance, sanitation and hygienic learning conditions for the students, higher students and girls enrollment. India remain committed to gender equality and currently has taken steps to provide universal primary eduction as a basic right. India also focuses on Human Resource Development for its own people as well as of partners countries.

5. Ambassador stated that the inaugural ceremony of these buildings got added value since the Government of Cambodia has allowed reopening of the schools from 1 November, 2021 onwards. Ambassador appreciated the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, that is making all round efforts to develop opportunities for women and girls, enabling them to participate in education and economy at all levels. Ambassador also expressed her gratitude to H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs for her personal attention and relentless support in execution of the projects. Ambassador further stated that all these steps would lead to women’s empowerment in Cambodia.

6. The project would serve the communities residing in Tropang Veng commune, Kandal Stoung district and Kandal province.

7. After this ceremony, H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs and Ambassador visited Kambol Primary school to review the progress of construction of 2 school buildings with 3 classroom each for the students from Grade 1-6, undertaken through another 2 Quick Impact Projects. This project commenced in September, 2020 and expected to be completed by April, 2022.