Public and private schools in Phnom Penh have been ordered to shut for three days from November 10 to 12 to reduce traffic in the capital to pave the way for VIP convoys during the upcoming ASEAN summit.

“With the intention to reduce traffic jams and disturbance of the people in Phnom Penh capital city, as well as to facilitate convoys of the delegates during the 40th and 41st Asean Summit and related meetings from November 10 to 13, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has decided to suspend operations of public and private education institutions of all levels in the capital city temporarily for three days,” the ministry said in a statement dated on Monday.

The statement added the municipal department must publicize this information widely to all other education offices and institutions, and parents to cooperate with great responsibility.

Pa Chanroeun, president of Cambodian Institute for Democracy, said on Tuesday that the complete shutdown of schools is not necessary because it will affect kids' learning.

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“What they can do, they should study and evaluate whether the shutdown can be done partially,” Chanroeun told Kiripost. He added that schools close to the proximity of summits will be shut down and that is appropriate in terms of reducing traffic jams.

“For other schools that are far away from meetings and main roads, they should be allowed to study normally,” he said.

He added that if those schools shut down, students should study online.

Ros Sovacha, a spokesman at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, declined to comment and referred Kiripost back to the statement.

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