The Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) in partnership with the Cambodia-ASEAN Center for Human Rights Development (CACHRD) is implementing a project ‘Promoting the Effectiveness Of Public expenditure in Local Education’ funded by USAID through Result for Development (R4D) 2012-2014. This project aims to promote public accountability and enhance the effectiveness of public expenditure in the education sector, particularly early childhood education through conducting evidence-based research and advocacy activities.

Objectives: To promote public accountability and enhance the effectiveness of public expenditures in the education sector, particularly the early childhood education and care by conducting evidence-based research and advocacy activities.

Actions & Results:

• API has effectively undertaken a consultative meeting on preliminary findings of PETS with PEO/DEO government officials in early May. There was a fruitful and active discussion between participants and the API project team through clarification and simplification on the status of state pre-school and financing matter. All participants have acknowledged the advantage of the study and wisely understood the purpose of the project. Apparently as the practitioners at sub-national level, they have anticipated for increase resource mobilising and improving early childhood education in Cambodia and hoped that through this project, some key issues have been tackled. The input and feedback from the meeting are included in the report. This forum enabled government agencies to be actively involved with CSOs activities.
• API has been mobilizing development partners in the education sector particularly Save the Children and Plan International in addition to UNICEF to introduce the PEOPLE project and build communication for further consultative meetings. Partners have shown keen interest in this meeting.
• API is flexible in obtaining information of national budget flow at national level by personally inviting a resource person from the relevant field to deliver a presentation in terms of capacity building for internal staff. Also, there is suitable financial resource to support this activity. The outcome from this approach helped to enhance the quality of report.
• Full PETS and CRC report was completed through quality check and edition. It will be used for further advocacy activities.
• It has been acknowledged that Government of Cambodia has increased the budget and number of pupils from age of three to five years old. According to the Prakas 508 on expenditure for implementing program-based budget at MoEYS dated on 20 May 2013, PB to pre-schools will have been classified by type at particular areas and size of pre-school respectively. This new Prakas will be effective from January 2014.