THE CAMBODIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM AND OUR ASSOCIATION’S ACTIONS FOR EDUCATION

Following the Khmer Rouge regime, rebuilding Cambodia’s education system was a lengthy and complex process with significant challenges. During this period, the education system was dismantled, many teachers were lost, and all forms of education and information were banned, as they posed a threat to the regime’s ideology.

After the regime’s fall, the task of reconstructing schools, recruiting and training new teachers, and providing basic school supplies was daunting. International organisations and NGOs offered critical support to provide education to a population that had largely been deprived of it.

In recent years, substantial progress has been made in offering better quality education to Cambodia’s youthful population. The latest census shows Cambodia has over 17 million inhabitants, with nearly half under 25 years old. These young people represent the future of the nation, and investments in school construction and teacher training are increasingly visible.

In Cambodia, education is compulsory for children aged 6 to 15, covering primary education and the first three years of secondary education, for a total of nine years. This is in accordance with the country’s constitution, which aims to provide basic education for all children.

While the primary school enrolment rate is close to 97%, the main challenge lies in maintaining enrolment in secondary and higher education, especially in rural areas and for girls.

In rural regions, while primary schools are widely accessible, secondary schools are often much farther from homes. This lack of proximity, coupled with limited access to transportation, poses significant barriers for students. Additionally, family responsibilities can prevent young girls from continuing their studies, as they may be required to help support their families.

According to the World Bank and OECD, around 60% of children are enrolled in lower secondary education, with disparities in participation between boys and girls, and between rural and urban areas. The figures drop further for university education, as most institutions are concentrated in the capital, Phnom Penh, making access difficult for youth from provincial areas.

Since arriving in Cambodia, we have prioritised access to education for children in the surrounding rural community. Our goal is not to replace the existing system but to contribute to its improvement.

In November, we celebrated the start of our 12th school year at the primary school, with over 120 children now enrolled. Each year, we are delighted to see the number of students grow, making this school a benchmark for quality education in the region. It’s a moving moment to welcome the children back each year, often accompanied by their proud parents.

Our annual commitment includes providing three schoolteachers with additional salaries to complement their state income, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to teaching, both in the morning and afternoon. We also supply school materials and hygiene kits (toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap).

We’ve significantly improved the school facilities, including painting, new classroom furniture, and a library with accessible books.

For hygiene, we’ve installed a water well with filtration, ensuring children have access to clean drinking water throughout the day. Separate toilets for boys and girls have also been constructed.

To enhance the school environment, we’ve tiled the courtyard, landscaped the garden, and built football and volleyball fields.

Each year, we support the top-performing primary school students by enrolling them in the best secondary school in Kampot, located nearly 20 kilometres from La Plantation. We organise transportation for them, covering all costs, including enrolment, school supplies, uniforms, and daily meals.

These students follow a six-year programme, with lessons divided into half-days: one in English and one following the Khmer curriculum. We currently have 12 students enrolled in this programme.

For those who don’t participate in this programme, we support their access to secondary education in a nearby village by providing bicycles and school supplies.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS TO ATTEND UNIVERSITY

As our students grow older, we’ve enabled those who excel in their high school exams (so far with a 100% success rate) to attend university in Phnom Penh. This involves significant annual expenses, including tuition fees, school supplies, a laptop, a motorbike, and accommodation in the capital.

We are incredibly proud of our students, including one who is now in their third year of law school, aspiring to become a lawyer. There are currently five students enrolled in this higher education programme.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT LES ÉCOLES DE LA PLANTATION?

We have established two non-profit organisations: one in France (recognised under French law, allowing tax deductions for donations) and another in Cambodia to manage daily operations.

A heartfelt thanks to our donors who have supported this project for over 11 years, helping to provide quality education in a rural environment.

If you’d like to contribute to this educational initiative, you can make a donation through Helloasso.