Teachers are a core element of the educational world and improving the teaching skills of future and current teachers has significant individual and societal impacts. This contribution reviews the educational environment in Cambodia which was the starting point of all activities in CONTESSA with reference to the Cambodian context. Based on document analyses, online-surveys, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with pre- and in-service teachers, teacher trainers and government representatives, this contribution discusses the challenges and opportunities of providing access to inclusive, equitable and contemporary teacher education to a wide range of pedagogues in Cambodia through the context of CONTESSA – Contemporary Teaching Skills for South Asia.