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Children - 2.3 Children in Cambodia
Cambodia is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but is still developing the code of law and the systems which will enforce these rights. More than 50% of Cambodia’s population is under the age of 18 years, and the mortality rate for children under 5 is 115 per 1000. Malnutrition amongst children is very high, and a reported 17% of children aged between 10 and 14 years are in full time employment to support themselves and their families. Although 78% of children enroll in primary school, the drop out rate is such that only 40% of these reach grade 5. (8) Only 1 in 4 of the literate population has completed primary school. At present, 75% of the cost of primary education is met by families and communities, one of the lowest contributions by government in the world. Girls are enrolled in primary school less often than boys, and drop out more frequently. The reasons for non-attendance by girls are housework, distance to school and minding of siblings.
Fact
A larger proportion of rural children do not complete primary school because poverty is higher in the provinces and the distances to school are greater.
Footnotes
(8) Kemmerer, Frances. "Resources for Schooling: A Model for Local Accountability". Report for Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, 1999.
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