Ministry says letter on reopening schools is fake news

Ministry says letter on reopening schools is fake news

The Education Ministry yesterday rejected a letter which announced all educational institutions and schools in Cambodia will reopen today, as fake news.

On Thursday, a letter, with the ministry’s logo and the stamp of Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron announced the reopening.

Dy Kamboly, a ministry spokesman, said yesterday the information is false and the letter was not from Mr Naron.

“The information which went viral on social media that all schools in Cambodia will reopen on May 4, 2020, is fake and the ministry has not confirmed any date on when they will resume,” he said.

Mr Kamboly said the closure remains until further notice as preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

On April 17 the ministry announced an extension of school closures which covered all educational institutions, in both private and public, at all levels and the implementation would remain in effect until further notice.

It urged all educational institutions to promote and support distance learning and e-learning and encouraged parents and guardians to support their children to study through e-learning platforms at home.

The Education and Information ministries on April 8 signed a Memorandum of Understanding to produce and disseminate e-Learning programmes to ensure rural students can get the same quality education as urban students during the closure of schools.

Ros Soveacha, another Education Ministry spokes- man, said that: “The Education Ministry expects students in urban and rural areas throughout the country will continue to study through these learning programmes to respond to current learning needs.”

Credited: Khmer Times