Temples to Policy Plans: Tracing the Political Trajectory of Education and Governance in Cambodia, from Antiquity to Contemporary Reforms

This literature review traces the evolution of education in Cambodia from antiquity to the present, analysing changes across nine significant periods. Beginning with informal learning in prehistoric civilizations and oral traditions rooted in indigenous knowledge, the study delves into the evolution of temple-based education during the Angkor Empire, the dualism of colonial-era schooling, and the nationalizing drives that followed independence in 1953. It explores how the Khmer Rouges rule (1975-1979) affected the educational system, how the Peoples Republic of Kampuchea (1979-1993) dealt with reconstruction, and how current advancements fit into global development frameworks. Important issues include incorporating religious and cultural values into education, the consequences of foreign influence and political ideology, and the continued difference in access and quality between rural and urban areas. This resent study, which combines policy texts and contemporary data, demonstrates Cambodias amazing ability to rebuild its educational institutions in the face of adversity. It also identifies gaps in the literature for comparative regional studies, equity-oriented research, and post-conflict educational memory. This study adds to general understanding of how education institutions in postcolonial and post-conflict settings respond to globalization, national identity, and developmental aspirations.