Understanding academic achievement gap in Cambodia: why boys lag behind in upper secondary schools?

The global emphasis on addressing gender disparities in education has highlighted the importance of equitable academic achievement. In Cambodia, where men traditionally dominated the society, a notable shift has been observed: female students have surpassed their male counterparts academic performance in recent years. This reversal has sparked significant public interest, prompting this research to investigate the underlying reasons for gender disparities in academic success. The study collected qualitative data from school directors, teachers and students from twenty schools across thirteen provinces in Cambodia. The findings reveal multi-faceted factors shaping the gender gap; specifically, school instruction and regulations, differing household responsibilities and supervision, and social relationships all contribute to performance. A key distinction is that male students’ behaviours are more easily affected by those school, family, peer, and societal factors. To address this challenge, the study calls for a comprehensive approach that involves parents, educators, and policymakers.