Politics a no-no at the Royal University of P Penh
ChimS1
By Jessica Frommer
Phnom Penh is awash in universities promising degrees to young people in search
of a higher education. The sleek buildings, glossy brochures and the snazzy
advertising appear to offer almost every academic subject imaginable.
But for those interested in understanding politics-and studying theories that
explain how governments work-almost no one is willing to teach them.
There are no universities in Cambodia with a political science department.
Although one school, Paссasastra University of Cambodia (PUC), offers a
bachelor's degree in the subject, it has no department dedicated to the field.
Where then can Cambodians learn, discuss, debate and dissect the meaning of
politics?
Some students enroll in the Faculty of Law and Economics (FLE) where the
teaching of constitutional law touches upon contemporary political issues. But,
according to Tep Soran, director of the continuing education office, the field
is simply too abstract to warrant much attention.
"Studying is about scientific research and not analysing, criticising or
rejecting," he said.
Students can also try joining the department of philosophy at the Royal
University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). But political science is taught either as
philosophy or history rather than as a subject relevant to students' lives.
Moreover, the university also dictates certain regulations on what can be asked
in the classroom.
"The university respects all religions and is not political," states the
official policy handbook at RUPP. "Therefore, teachers are required to ensure
that their own political and religious views are not expressed in any manner
which can be construed as attempting to overtly influence students."
What this means in practice, says Ting Leyheng, program coordinator at RUPP, is
that politics are taboo.
"Teachers don't talk about Cambodian politics," he said "We do not give
students a chance to discuss Cambodian politics. That is the way it is and has
always been."
Yet there are unlikely pockets of political debate among the 30 or so schools
scattered about the capital.
A recent controversy arose over an art history assignment at PUC in July. A
seemingly innocuous exercise in artistic expression rapidly transformed into an
open political discussion raising issues of censorship, freedom of speech and
political repression.
Students were asked to create their own art based on what they felt was
important to them as Cambodian citizens. When their final projects were
displayed on the walls of the school's campus, their art did what most good art
should do-it caught the eye of other students.
But it also inspired controversy after students were angry about what they saw
and complained to the administration. A soiled Cambodian flag and pictures
depicting corruption were unacceptable for some students. The artworks were
taken down after only one day.
The move created a standoff between art students and the university
administration. According to senior administrators in the university, the
timing-two weeks before the elections- was "just too delicate".
But what followed, said one student whose art was taken down, was "rather
remarkable".
Encouraged by their American professor, the students met with directors of the
university on September 12 to discuss the issue for about two hours.
"We agreed to disagree," said one student whose art was removed. "I stood up
and spoke openly. I said my feelings about education, politics, and freedom for
students. I had no fear."
Although the meeting reconciled some student's anger about the school's action,
the art has remained under wraps.
The fact remains that most universities still consider politics strictly
prohibited from the classroom.
At the Royal University of Phnom Penh on October 20, five students sitting on
the main campus were asked about their freedom to debate the country's
political standoff in class. They said they were prohibited from talking about
the problems their country is facing.
"We study philosophy but we have never used our knowledge to try and understand
what is happening today in Cambodian politics," said one of the students. "We
cannot talk in class."
Another student who asked not to be identified was more direct about the
oppressive situation in universities.
"Of course no one can talk openly," he said. "It is too dangerous for any young
person to speak out and say something different or even critical. We can be
harmed."
Professors are left in a precarious situation. Due to the strict policies
governing acceptable subjects, many said they are caught between university
policies and their students' desire to discuss politics.
Ung Rotha, professor of international law at the Faculty of Law and Economics,
was frank about what actually happens in class.
"The teachers set the tone," he said. "No student can start a debate on
politics. If there is a debate it is limited and always within the study of
constitutional law."
He said he restricts his discussion of politics depending on the students.
"In the morning and the afternoon, I can be more open in discussion because my
students are young," he said. "But once the evening students have arrived, who
are mainly civil servants, my teaching and approach in class is different. I
have to consider who is in my class."
Micheal Neville who heads the department of international studies at the
University of Cambodia, characterised talking about Cambodian politics as
"walking on egg shells".
"I tend to stay clear of current politics," he said. "There are unwritten rules
on what to say and what not to stay. As a foreigner, discretion is the word."
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 12/22, October 24 - November 6, 2003
© Michael Hayes, 2003. All rights revert to authors and artists on publication.
For permission to publish any part of this publication, contact Michael Hayes,
Editor-in-Chief
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