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November 2007 - Posts
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The week of October 1 marked the first week of school of the 2007-08 school year in Cambodia. To open the week, SCC hosted a ceremony at Svay Dungkum Primary School, re-introducing the organization to community leaders, villagers and students. Nearly 50 mothers, a few fathers and 150 students turned out to the event, where the village chief, PTA leader, head monk, school director, commune council leader and SCC staff all made addresses. Entertainment was provided by fifteen Svay Dungkum dance students who performed traditional Khmer dances that they have learned under dance instruction funded by SCC. It was a sight for all to enjoy, particularly the incoming first-graders who flocked around the performers so as not to miss a move.
On Tuesday, students donned their white-collared shirts and navy blue skirts and trousers and anxiously headed back to class. Bicycles once again filled the courtyard and the teachers' raised voices could be heard from outside the classrooms. The children are clearly joyful to be back in class after nearly 3 months of holiday. And, SCC is clearly happy to see more joyful children than in years past. Although the final 2007-08 enrolment numbers have not been tabulated, there is an obvious increase in enrolment -- nearly 4 more classrooms worth of students!
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SCC is seeking enthusiastic and creative volunteers to teach English to primary school students at SCC-supported public schools in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. Our new and improved volunteer program, which launches January 1, 2008, provides opportunities for volunteers to stay with host families while teaching at schools in the countryside. For those more keen on having access to the conveniences of town, opportunities to stay in Siem Reap are available, too. SCC's volunteer program continues to be administration fee-free, although we do request a minimum commitment of 3 months. If you or someone you know is looking for a culturally-enriching and rewarding experience, this is the opportunity for you! Request more information by emailing volunteer@schools4cambodia.org.
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Eighteen kilometers outside of Siem Reap, on a flooded field stands two thatched roofs, serving as make-shift classrooms, butted up against a concrete block of 5 additional rooms. This is Phoum Stung Primary School, a school which provides education to over 500 students from four neighboring villages. Phoum Stung has a shortage of space and cannot accommodate all of the students who would like to study here. The school's six teachers work double-shift, spending eight hours per day on their feet in front of a class. The flooded school grounds present health risks and certainly are not an ideal playground. And, community leaders and villagers worry about the futures of their children, as many are forced to drop out of school to support the basic needs of their poor families.
In mid-September, SCC met with community leaders, school staff, students and villagers to better understand the community's education-related problems and to announce that Phoum Stung would come under SCC adoption in October. Under SCC support, the charity and community will work together to address the school's issues and improve the access and quality of education. The Phoum Stung community is eager to get started and even in our initial meeting, started drawing plans for a school grounds drainage system in the dirt. The school staff is equally happy, as SCC's teacher salary supplementation program will enable them to earn living wages for their work. SCC's adoption of Phoum Stung brings the number of SCC-supported schools in Siem Reap province to five.
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Only 26% of Cambodian children who are of official age for secondary education are enrolled in school.1 Although there are a variety of reasons why students may drop out, in the areas of Siem Reap where SCC works, the most notable reason is a shortage of money. For families who struggle to support their most basic needs, the cost of a secondary education is out of the question. School uniforms and supplies alone cost upwards of $30, and then there are monthly costs for exam papers and private-time2 fees.
SCC's student sponsorship program helps graduates from SCC-supported schools continue their secondary education, providing them with supplies and monthly stipends for class fees. Students' attendance and performance are monitored in partnership with school teachers and students receive encouragement, which oftentimes their uneducated parents cannot provide, from SCC staff through regular home visits. This year, SCC is proud to support 29 students across three secondary/high schools to pursue their education - that's nearly four times as many students as the charity supported in the 2006-07 school year!
1UN Human Development Report, 2006
2Private-time refers to classes that are taught outside of normal school hours, usually at teachers' homes or alternate locations in the community. Key lessons are taught during private-time, and students who do not attend often find it difficult to pass class exams. Private-time comes at a cost - typically $2.50 - $4.00 per month per subject - and it is a way for teacher's to supplement their low wages.
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Jay Chea Lim, SCC's prized local staff member who has been with the charity since April 2006, has been promoted to full-time Project Coordinator. At a young age of 26, Jay has an unmatched passion for education and helping his country's children. In fact, when he's not supporting SCC school staff and students, he's running "Jay's School," a fee-free educational program out of his own home. Working alongside SCC's General Manager, Jay is instrumental in implementing and monitoring SCC programs and maintaining relationships between SCC, its schools, and Cambodia's Ministry of Education. Jay's promotion is a big step for SCC and aligns with the charity's announcement of stepping up its operations by adopting additional schools, increasing the number of sponsored students, and expanding its English-teaching volunteer program.
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