Contract Teacher Reclaims her Job following Social Media Protest
Oeur Mony has been a contract teacher at Sok San Primary School in Banteay Meanchey province for more than 16 years. Photo from Mony's Facebook.
- By Chhum Chantha
- December 30, 2023 6:34 PM
PHNOM PENH — The Provincial Department of Education in Banteay Meanchey, rescinded on Dec. 29 its decision to reinstate 57-year-old Oeur Mony as a contract teacher.
Chhou Bunroeung, director of the provincial Department of Education, Youth and Sport, confirmed her reinstatement as a contract teacher.
“It is right: We authorize her [Oeur Mony] to get back to teaching,” Bunroeung said, adding that she will continue to teach until she reaches the retirement age of 60 years old.
Mony has been a contract teacher at Sok San Primary School in Banteay Meanchey province for more than 16 years, starting with a monthly salary of 130,000 riels ($32.50) in 2006. However, she was notified on Dec. 20 that she could no longer teach as her age exceeded the age limit.
She immediately posted her story on social media while contacting the Provincial Department of Education to ask to overturn the decision.
Her story prompted a strong response on social media. Many users called on the Ministry of Education and the relevant agencies to intervene and allow Mony to resume her work.
Mony could not be reached for comment on Dec. 29 regarding her reinstatement. However, on her Facebook post on Dec. 26, she thanked Prime Minister Hun Maneth and former Prime Minister Hun Sen for granting her justice and enabling her to keep on teaching until retirement.
“I also want to thank Cambodian fellows in and outside the country for helping me get justice,” she wrote.
