Equity, Gender, and Quality in Education Presented by Dr. Nhim Vanchankan Inspector General and Gender Focal Point Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport Royal Government of Cambodia June 2008 Kathmandu, Nepal

Ministry of Education Youth and Sport is the engine of gender mainstreaming The engine of gender mainstreaming is having a gender-responsive organizational culture within the MoEYS The engine of gender mainstreaming is having a gender-responsive organizational culture within the MoEYS

Characteristics of gender- responsive MoEYS Putting in place gender policy, strategy, actions, budget and staff Putting in place gender policy, strategy, actions, budget and staff All support delivery of education that helps each girl and each boy reach their individual potential All support delivery of education that helps each girl and each boy reach their individual potential Most significant is that all ministry employees, male and female, do their personal and professional best to advance gender equality in their own work and in their interaction with others. This should be recognized and valued equally with the performance of all other key functions Most significant is that all ministry employees, male and female, do their personal and professional best to advance gender equality in their own work and in their interaction with others. This should be recognized and valued equally with the performance of all other key functions

Characteristics of gender- responsive MoEYS The visible support and good example of the Minister and Senior Ministry Officers are essential in creating this gender- responsive organizational culture The visible support and good example of the Minister and Senior Ministry Officers are essential in creating this gender- responsive organizational culture

Structure for Gender Mainstreaming Inter-ministerial Gender WG under EFA Secretariat related to the Goal 5 of EFA Inter-ministerial Gender WG under EFA Secretariat related to the Goal 5 of EFA Steering Committee on Gender and Girls ’ Education in MoEYS Steering Committee on Gender and Girls ’ Education in MoEYS Mainstream Gender Issues in all aspects of MoEYS Mainstream Gender Issues in all aspects of MoEYS Report on the progress in achieving equitable access to program benefits for females within the EFA plan implementation. Report on the progress in achieving equitable access to program benefits for females within the EFA plan implementation.

Structure for Gender Mainstreaming National Education For All Committee Early Childhood Care & Development Basic Education Life Skills Non-formal Education Gender Equality Quality Working Group EFA Secretariat General Steering Committee on Gender Mainstreaming TWG on Gender

Key MoEYS Achievements 1. Policy and tools development Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Plan updated for the period of with two main objectives: 1) to increase women ’ s participation in the management and delivery educational services at all levels; 2) to create positive social attitudes towards girls ’ education and gender equality. The plan spells out concrete targets, outputs and key activities under each objective. Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Plan updated for the period of with two main objectives: 1) to increase women ’ s participation in the management and delivery educational services at all levels; 2) to create positive social attitudes towards girls ’ education and gender equality. The plan spells out concrete targets, outputs and key activities under each objective.

Key MoEYS Achievements Quality standards and indicators for gender mainstreaming in education drafted to include both quantitative and quality indicators. This provides a tool for systematic gender review and analysis at all levels. Quality standards and indicators for gender mainstreaming in education drafted to include both quantitative and quality indicators. This provides a tool for systematic gender review and analysis at all levels.

Key MoEYS Achievements 2. Gender sensitization Gender mainstreaming strategic plan disseminated to central, provincial, and district education staff, both men and women through regional gender sensitization workshop. Gender mainstreaming strategic plan disseminated to central, provincial, and district education staff, both men and women through regional gender sensitization workshop. Gender based education leadership training conducted for female vice school directors and well performing upper secondary school teachers to prepare them to take school director positions in the future. Gender based education leadership training conducted for female vice school directors and well performing upper secondary school teachers to prepare them to take school director positions in the future.

Key MoEYS Achievements Gender responsiveness as one of child friendly school 6 core dimensions implemented at school level to promote gender awareness and provide equitable educational opportunities for girls and boys through promotion of girl representation in student councils and school support committee. Gender responsiveness as one of child friendly school 6 core dimensions implemented at school level to promote gender awareness and provide equitable educational opportunities for girls and boys through promotion of girl representation in student councils and school support committee.

Key MoEYS Achievements 3. Gender monitoring and evaluation Gender assessment conducted in 24 provinces using quality standards and indicators for gender mainstreaming in education. Gender assessment conducted in 24 provinces using quality standards and indicators for gender mainstreaming in education. EFA mid decade assessment report produced with a chapter focusing on analysis of gender and equality. The main results are as follows: EFA mid decade assessment report produced with a chapter focusing on analysis of gender and equality. The main results are as follows:

Lessons Learnt In academic year , MoEYS introduced a gender responsive approach to teacher trainee selection process giving priority to female teacher candidates. If female candidates have the same scores as their male counterparts the females are selected. In addition, all reserved positions are offered to female candidates. Such affirmative action by MoEYS led to increased percentage of female teacher trainee intake up to 51.9%. In academic year , MoEYS introduced a gender responsive approach to teacher trainee selection process giving priority to female teacher candidates. If female candidates have the same scores as their male counterparts the females are selected. In addition, all reserved positions are offered to female candidates. Such affirmative action by MoEYS led to increased percentage of female teacher trainee intake up to 51.9%.

Challenges Transforming the gender mainstreaming strategic plan into affirmative actions that produces tangible outputs to achieve the set targets. Transforming the gender mainstreaming strategic plan into affirmative actions that produces tangible outputs to achieve the set targets. Increasing female representation in educational leadership and management positions at all levels. Increasing female representation in educational leadership and management positions at all levels.

Future Actions Gender responsive recruitment and promotion strategies to be developed to enhance female presentation in leadership and management positions. Gender responsive recruitment and promotion strategies to be developed to enhance female presentation in leadership and management positions. Finalize standards and indicators for gender mainstreaming in education to monitor and evaluate gender based performance at all levels. Finalize standards and indicators for gender mainstreaming in education to monitor and evaluate gender based performance at all levels. Continue to provide gender sensitization training to staff at all levels and train middle level staff in gender monitoring, planning and analysis. Continue to provide gender sensitization training to staff at all levels and train middle level staff in gender monitoring, planning and analysis. Gender responsiveness module as part of CFS initiatives to be developed to sensitize gender at school levels. Gender responsiveness module as part of CFS initiatives to be developed to sensitize gender at school levels.

Thank You