Enhancing aid effectiveness in education through a sector-wide approach in Cambodia

Since 2001 the government of Cambodia has striven to advance policy-led education reform based on a sector-wide approach. This paper critically reviews the status and progress of Cambodia’s education reform from the perspective of the aid’s effectiveness. The paper looks at the performance of the sector reform in the three priority areas highlighted in the Accra Agenda of Action on Aid Effectiveness: (a) strengthening country ownership; (b) building more effective and inclusive partnership; and (c) delivering and accounting for development results. The study finds that while substantial progress was made in the development of essential components of an effective sector programme, further consolidation and refinements are necessary in several priority areas in order to bring about tangible improvements in education outcomes. The study provides concrete policy recommendations to further enhance the effectiveness of aid to Cambodia’s education sector.