Teachers' rally thwarted

Teachers gather behind a blockade set up by police yesterday morning outside the headquarters of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association in Chamkarmon district. To mark World Teachers’ Day, CITA had planned a rally and march to advocate for higher wages. Uch Sokhon, the police chief in Chamkarmon district, said he had deployed about 30 officers to pre-empt the rally. CITA President Rong Chhun said yesterday that “Cambodia’s education has fallen down because the government does not take care of teachers’ living standards”. Mu Sochua, a lawmaker for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said she would present a petition prepared for the rally – which calls for the monthly salary for teachers to be raised to 1 million riels (US$237) – to the National Assembly.

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