A Cambodian official reported last week that about 23 percent of children in three provinces along the border with Thailand have stopped attending school.
Cambodian Education Minister Hangchuon Naron spoke at a conference about the student dropout rate. He said that the rate in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Oddor Meanchey provinces was much higher than in other areas, where rates are 18 to 19 percent.
The education minister blamed poverty and parents who move to Thailand for work as the main reasons for the problem.
