Phnom Penh: A recent study has brought to light critical insights about the effectiveness of instruction time in Cambodian primary schools. The findings question whether extending school hours would significantly enhance student learning outcomes in subjects like Khmer and Math.
According to World Bank, while Cambodia's curriculum time is shorter than international and regional averages, the allocation for literacy and numeracy is relatively high, suggesting these are not the primary barriers to improving learning outcomes. However, the actual instruction time falls short of the intended 728 hours, with studies indicating that up to a quarter of this time may be lost due to factors like teacher absenteeism and unofficial school closures.
The study reveals that globally, the relationship between instruction time and student test scores is positive but weak. Not all countries that transitioned to full-day schooling saw improvements in test scores. In fact, some of the lowest performers in the OECD have high instruction hours, while top performers have fewer hours than average. The study advises caution, noting that positive impacts from extending school hours are not guaranteed and typically modest. Moreover, such reforms are costly and lengthy, often taking over a decade to implement.
Different strategies to increase instruction time were analyzed for cost-efficiency. Full-day schooling, requiring extensive classroom construction, is deemed less efficient. More cost-effective approaches include adding lessons within existing school hours or extending the school year without additional infrastructure investments. Addressing time loss by reducing teacher absenteeism is cited as the most cost-efficient measure.
Based on these findings, several recommendations were made. High priority is given to tackling instruction time loss through studies to quantify it and measures to address its root causes. Reforms should be approached cautiously, with pilot testing before widespread implementation. Revising and enforcing teacher HR regulations is crucial, including clarifying curriculum requirements, enforcing compliance, and minimizing secondary jobs for teachers. Investing in the quality and effectiveness of instruction, such as early-grade reading and math and teaching-at-the-right-level strategies, is also emphasized as essential for improving student outcomes.