The construction
of four new classrooms and three new toilets at Wat Mon Thyean Primary School
was completed last week and the keys will be handed to the community during an
opening ceremony on the 21st of November, a day chosen in
consultation with Monks from the Mon Thyean pagoda. The opening ceremony will include speeches by
the commune chief, the district governor and the school director as well as a
blessing performed by the monks from the nearby pagoda.
SCC and the Kok
Russey Kang Cherng Community planned the construction of the new classrooms
after a comprehensive needs assessment in Kok Russey Kang Cherng Village and
Wat Mon Thyean Primary School identified additional classrooms as one of the
community’s top needs. Up until recently
Wat Mon Thyean Primary School was unable to accommodate students through their final year of
primary schooling., Because students had
to travel long distances to study grades five and six, many dropped-out after grade
4.
The community
was closely involved in the construction process from evaluating contractor
bids and monitoring construction. They
demanded changes when quality was not met and were proud of the result. The School Support Committee also participated
in a two and a half month training course in construction and construction
monitoring. The course included ways in
which the community can be mobilised to ensure that the facilities are
maintained into the future. 
One of four completed classrooms
New Toilet Block