On 23 June 2026, the Khmer Times had a report about the educationist Dr. Quach Mengly under the title “Gaps Hamper Economic Growth.”

Actually, the article goes well beyond the concern that the present educational systems will hinder the country’s industrial development, as he sees the educational system constrained by weak teacher quality and poor school leadership. “Teachers are the single most critical factor in determining whether an education system thrives or stagnates. They can push the education sector forward or cause it to fail,” he said, as improvements in access to education have not always translated into improvements in quality.

“The issue is not only about numbers,” Dr. Mengly said. “It is also about quality. We need teachers who can provide students with knowledge, skills, ethics and good character.”

Unfortunately, the article does not go deeper into analyzing how to work towards these goals, but it deals more with technical and practical problems how to ensure that educational programs remain aligned with the labor market. Important, but not enough. But how to develop ethics and good character?

Probably to work towards this, educational systems can only help, when related efforts on the personal levels exist.

I saw recently a very convincing example in an email region, where educational problems are being discussed. I just share what I found:

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My six years old son Pheak refused to go to school, because his teacher hit him. Weeks before he had complained how his teacher was never happy with his homework, which is to write Khmer letters over and over. He said: no matter how hard he tried, she always blamed him and dismissed his efforts.

I had a lengthy conversation with the teacher, who quickly apologized for hitting the child out of frustration, and claimed it was of good intention.

The teacher admitted that the Ministry of Education does not allow verbal or physical violence in any form, but the teacher said that she exhausts all forms of sweet talk, before she resorts to violence. And she claimed it works, because the boy focused a little more during class, right after the beating.

Teacher Phally works long hours as a public school teacher, and she runs her own private school at home, where she and a dozen of other teachers like her, earn additional income from teaching private school children Khmer language skills.

She pointed out to the current debates on social media, that “teachers lost their dignity and value” these days, because parents are too sensitive and it is unfair for parents to forbid teachers from resorting to violence, since Cambodian parents still beat their own children at home.

When asked if Cambodian teachers’ dignity and values are determined by their ability to use violence against children, the teacher fell silent.

I explained the negative consequences when a role model, like a primary school teacher, fails to demonstrate important skills they should teach to children, such as how to listen with empathy, ask questions to gauge critical thinking and curiosity, appreciate inquiry based learning, and child-centered learning, and creative problem solving.

The teacher was even more frustrated, but continued to listen.

I said that Peak had been quiet that evening, but he refused to go to school next morning.

Children do not learn from adults they do not like, and when they do not feel safe. Verbal harassment and bullying at school are common factors that lead to low academic performance and school dropouts.

When I explained the negative impact this will have on Pheak, as he grows up and learns form the attitude and behavior of his teachers and parents, he responded to understand: he may grow up to be an adult who believes that violence is the solution for everything. He said he now understands that when he will beat his classmates or anyone in a weaker position of power, he can get what he wants, and the way he wants it.

On a greater scale, that means we are teaching a new generation of Cambodians to be submissive and violent. The teacher’s only response was: “I’m sorry. I apologize. I did this out of frustration.”

So I asked the teacher “to forget to teach Khmer cursive the next day – or instead to sit down with Pheak, with their eyes at the same level. No rush. “Look at him in the eyes. Hold his hands. Tell him that you apologize for hurting him, and that it was wrong to do that. That you did it out of frustration. You were tired. You want him to write better, you love him. Tell him you need his help – yes, you need this child’s help – you need him to tell you, how you can encourage him to write beautifully. Ask him what happened at yesterday’s evening class? – Why did he not listen? Why didn’t he finish the homework the day before? Was he sick? Was he enjoying spending time with his relatives? Was he upset that no matter how hard he tried, you always say ‘bad, ugly, horrible’. Ask him where and when he finds time to do his Khmer homework? Was it true he did it in the car on the way to the school, because his schedule is just as packed as his teacher’s? Ask him if he didn’t do the work because he want to make you upset? Ask more questions that would help you to better understand the six years old boy and his situation. Tell him how you feel about learning form him and his situation….

Oh something so positive. The teacher of Pheak did what i suggested and Pheak came home and felt so uplifted. The teacher sat with him and apologized to him and explained why she did what she did; then Pheak apologized to her and explained why he didn’t do what she had asked. He told me he promised the teacher he will work harder to make her happy and not frustrated anymore.

And he was busy making a gift for the teacher after finishing his Khmer homework: to thank her for speaking nicely to him!! Oh I am so happy and proud of this teacher, for her humility and love for children. 

It’s a story of the importance of empathetic listening and of a teacher’s professional development.

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This is how ethics and good character are developed – among students and teachers and parents and everybody: by not avoiding to think about problems, and to talk frankly and friendly without fear, and to find happy agreements together.

And by sharing it – as I do here on this blog – more people can learn from the experience of others.

Norbert Klein