Global Canberran Programme

The Khmer Empire (9th–15th Century)

The Khmer Empire is one of the most significant periods in Cambodia’s history, lasting from the 9th to the 15th century. It was during this time that the empire reached its zenith, becoming one of the most powerful and prosperous in Southeast Asia. The capital of the empire, Angkor, was home to the iconic Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu but later transformed into a Buddhist temple. The grandeur of the Angkorian architecture reflects the empire's advanced engineering, artistic achievements, and the deep spiritual devotion of the Khmer people.

Decline of the Khmer Empire and Foreign Influence

The Khmer Empire began to decline in the 15th century due to a combination of factors, including internal strife, external invasions, and ecological changes. Following the fall of Angkor in 1431, Cambodia became vulnerable to its more powerful neighbors, Siam (Thailand) and Vietnam. Over the centuries, Cambodia’s territory was significantly reduced as it fell under the influence of these neighboring powers.

French Colonial Rule (1863–1953)

In 1863, Cambodia became a protectorate of France, marking the beginning of nearly 90 years of colonial rule. During this period, French influence shaped various aspects of Cambodian society, from its administration to its infrastructure. However, the colonial period also led to the erosion of traditional Khmer culture and a growing sense of national consciousness among Cambodians, ultimately leading to the push for independence.

Independence and the Khmer Rouge Era

Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953 under the leadership of King Norodom Sihanouk. The following decades were turbulent, marked by political instability and the rise of the Khmer Rouge, a radical communist movement led by Pol Pot. From 1975 to 1979, the Khmer Rouge regime perpetrated one of the most brutal genocides in history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 1.7 to 2 million people. The regime sought to transform Cambodia into a classless agrarian society, leading to widespread starvation, forced labor, and mass executions.

Post-Genocide Recovery

The Khmer Rouge was overthrown in 1979 by Vietnamese forces, but Cambodia remained in a state of conflict and isolation for many years. The 1990s saw the beginning of peace efforts and the gradual rebuilding of the country. Today, Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with a rapidly developing economy, but the scars of its past continue to shape its society.

Located in the northwest of Cambodia, Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, home to the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex. Beyond its famous temples, Siem Reap is a city filled with vibrant markets, traditional performances, and a deep sense of community.

The name of the city literally means Siamese defeated, referring to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom in the 17th century.

Siem Reap is not just a tourist destination but also a place where the spirit of the Cambodian people shines through their hospitality and warmth. The city’s lively streets are lined with local markets, bustling with vendors selling handmade crafts, traditional foods, and textiles that reflect the rich cultural tapestry of the Khmer people.

Khmer is the official language of Cambodia and is spoken by the vast majority of the population. The Khmer script, one of the oldest in Southeast Asia, is used in religious texts, literature, and official documents. French, a legacy of colonial rule, and English, increasingly taught in schools, are also spoken by some Cambodians.

Cambodian cuisine is known for its bold flavors, with rice as the staple food. Fishes from the Mekong and Tonle sap rivers are also an important part of the diet. The supply of fishes an dfish products for food and trade in 2000 was 20 kilograms per person or 2 ounces per day per person.

Dishes are often flavored with prahok (fermented fish paste), kroeung (a spice paste made from lemongrass, galangal, and other herbs), and coconut milk. Popular dishes include Amok (steamed fish curry), Lok Lak (stir-fried beef), and Num Banh Chok (Khmer noodles). Street food culture is vibrant in Cambodia, with markets offering a wide variety of snacks, fruits, and traditional sweets.

French influence on Cambodian cuisine includes the Cambodian red curry with toasted baguette bread. The toasted baguette pieces are dipped in the curry and eaten. Cambodian red curry is also eaten with rice and rice vermicelli noodles.

Cambodia has a dual currency system, where the US dollar and the Khmer riel are used simultaneously. The Khmer riel is not usually used for large purchases. Cents of the U.S. dollar are not in use, so change below 1 dollar is always given in riel. Prices for most products and services worth above a couple dollars will be quoted in US Dollars, especially to foreigners. Most vendors will accept US dollars and Khmer riel interchangeably at a rate of 4000 riel to the dollar.

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports is responsible for establishing national policies and guidelines for education in Cambodia. The Cambodian education system is heavily decentralised, with three levels of government, central, provincial and district responsible for its management. The constitution of Cambodia promulgates free compulsory education for nine years, guaranteeing the universal right to basic quality education.

The 2008 Cambodian census estimated that 77.6% of the population was literate (85.1% of men and 70.9% of women). Male youth age (15-24 years) have a literacy rate of 89% compared to 86% for females.

The education system in Cambodia continues to face many challenges, but during the past years there have been significant improvements, especially in terms of primary net enrollment gains, the introduction of programme based-budgeting, and the development of a policy framework which helps disadvantaged children to gain access to education. Many of Cambodia's most acclaimed universities are based in Phnom Penh.

Traditionally, education in Cambodia was offered by the WATS (Buddhist temples), thus providing education exclusively for the male population. During the Khmer Rouge regime, education suffered significant setbacks.

With respects to academic performance among Cambodian primary school children, research showed that parental attitudes and beliefs played a significant role. Specifically, the study found that poorer academic achievement among children were associated with parents holding stronger fatalistic beliefs (i.e., human strength cannot change destiny). The study further found that "length of residence" of parents in the community in which they stay predicted better academic achievement among their children.

While Siem Reap is known for its cultural and historical significance, it is also a place where communities face various social and economic challenges. Many residents in rural areas around the city still lack access to essential resources such as education, healthcare, and clean water.

Our students had the privilege of volunteering in Prolit Primary School in Siem Reap, to address some of these challenges. Through service-learning projects, they engaged with the children in the primary school, providing educational support. These efforts not only contributed to the betterment of the local community but also provided our students with invaluable insights into the realities of life in Siem Reap.