The Teacher Development Support Organisation (TDSO)’s two flagship teacher training programmes have been accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. They will contribute to the professional development of Cambodia’s 130,000-strong teaching workforce, ultimately benefitting nearly 4 million students nationwide.
“The accreditation marks the successful transition from provincial implementation to nationwide integration within Cambodia’s public education system,” TDSO explained in a press release.
The newly accredited programmes – English for Public Primary Schools (EPPS) and English for Teachers (EFT) – will now be delivered as part of the education ministry’s national continuous professional development framework, offering teachers tangible career advancement opportunities through recognised credits that directly impact salary progression and professional standing.
“This accreditation represents more than programme recognition – it embodies our commitment to strengthening Cambodia’s existing educational infrastructure rather than creating parallel systems,” said Son Nat, executive director of TDSO.
“After nearly a decade of successful implementation in Siem Reap province, we are now positioned to support teachers nationwide through systematic integration with government institutions,” he added.
It explained that the EPPS programme offers a comprehensive six-month pedagogical training designed specifically for public school teachers, including contract teachers. The programme focuses on practical classroom methodologies and sustainable teaching practices.
In addition, the EFT programme emphasises language proficiency development, ensuring educators possess the linguistic competency necessary for effective English instruction.
Both programmes provide participants with accredited credits that contribute to their professional development portfolios, creating clear pathways for career advancement within Cambodia’s public education system.
“With the nationwide rollout, TDSO’s programmes will reach thousands of teachers across all provinces, contributing to the professional development of Cambodia’s 130,000-strong teaching workforce and ultimately benefiting nearly 4 million students nationwide,” it added.
TDSO noted that the accreditation comes at a crucial time for Cambodia’s education system, where approximately one-quarter of primary school educators and half of secondary school teachers do not meet national qualification standards. With over 13,000 contract teachers working without full qualifications, these programmes provide essential pathways for professional development and career advancement.
TDSO’s integration with the ministry ensures long-term sustainability and systematic implementation. The organisation has entered into agreements to work through Cambodia’s 18 provincial Centres of Continuous Professional Development, providing comprehensive coverage across urban and rural areas.
The approach aligns with TDSO’s strategic vision of progressive knowledge transfer, where systems and methodologies are fully integrated into Cambodia’s educational infrastructure with complete ownership transferred to public sector partners by 2030.
On August 1, 132 teachers completed four intensive training courses in English language and teaching methodology offered by the NGO. The group included public school teachers, community and NGO school teachers and student trainees from the Siem Reap Provincial Teacher Training College.
Khuon Vichheka, director general of Teacher Education and Development​ at the ministry, stated at the event that they shared a collective purpose to equip their students with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to build a stronger society.
“Effective teachers are at the heart of that journey,” she said.
