National
• 1 hour ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Environment Minister Visits Coconut School Following PM's Directive
PHNOM PENH, August 19, 2026 – Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth has visited the Coconut School on Kirirom Mountain in Kampong Speu province, following a directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet to assess the school’s operations and find a sustainable solution for its continued operation.
The Minister met with teachers and students at the community school, which provides education and life skills to more than 150 children from the surrounding area. He also visited Kirirom Primary School to evaluate how both institutions can complement each other in serving the educational needs of the mountain community.
The visit came after the school faced potential demolition when the Kampong Speu military zone ordered the removal of certain structures, including teacher housing, citing their location on historical military land. Prime Minister Hun Manet intervened, halting the demolition and allowing the school to continue its operations. He also pledged monthly support of 5 million riel and one tonne of rice, effective September 2026.
During the visit, the Environment Minister acknowledged the school’s efforts in integrating environmental education into its curriculum, including forest protection and waste reduction, aligning with the ministry’s “Clean, Green, and Sustainable” strategy.
The Coconut School, founded by Ouk VanDay, has operated on borrowed land within Kirirom National Park with the help of volunteer teachers and limited resources. The school has become a vital educational resource for children in the remote community.
— Source: Ministry of Environment
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
The Minister met with teachers and students at the community school, which provides education and life skills to more than 150 children from the surrounding area. He also visited Kirirom Primary School to evaluate how both institutions can complement each other in serving the educational needs of the mountain community.
The visit came after the school faced potential demolition when the Kampong Speu military zone ordered the removal of certain structures, including teacher housing, citing their location on historical military land. Prime Minister Hun Manet intervened, halting the demolition and allowing the school to continue its operations. He also pledged monthly support of 5 million riel and one tonne of rice, effective September 2026.
During the visit, the Environment Minister acknowledged the school’s efforts in integrating environmental education into its curriculum, including forest protection and waste reduction, aligning with the ministry’s “Clean, Green, and Sustainable” strategy.
The Coconut School, founded by Ouk VanDay, has operated on borrowed land within Kirirom National Park with the help of volunteer teachers and limited resources. The school has become a vital educational resource for children in the remote community.
— Source: Ministry of Environment
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network