Teachers in Cambodia's primary schools have their work cut out for them. Most teach four hours per day, six days per week. Because of Cambodia's shortage of teachers, though, some work double-shift, making for 48 teaching hours per week. Squeeze in a few hours of lesson planning, and the teacher has a 50+ hour work week.
Teachers generally have classes of 40-50 students. The high student-teacher ratios are not so much of an issue for upper grades, but can you imagine managing a classroom full of 50 first graders?
School resources are scarce. In most cases, teachers don't even have teaching manuals to lead lessons. It's not uncommon for them to have to buy the most basic classroom needs, like chalk, with their personal money.
And, despite all of this, teachers receive very low salaries from the Cambodian government. The government salaries for teachers at SCC schools range from £10-20 per month. That's hardly a living wage, so it's no surprise that many of them used to collect informal school fees from their students before SCC was involved. The money they collected from students helped to supplement their salaries.
Through SCC, for £15 per month, you have the opportunity to provide a living wage to a school teacher and facilitate free education for his/her classroom full of students. Teacher salary supplements are paid to teachers during SCC's monthly meetings with school staff.
If you would like to become a sponsor, please fill in the Standing Order form and return it to your bank.
In addition, if you are a UK resident tx payer, your money can be made to go further. Just fill in the GiftAid form and return it to us so that we can claim back the tax you have already paid.
Finally, please complete as much of the Teacher Sponsor Contact form as you wish so that we can keep you informed about your teacher's activities.
Please return the forms by post to 107 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1DP, United Kingdom or by email to info@schools4cambodia.org.
Schools for Children of Cambodia would like to thank you for your contribution on behalf of the teacher you are supporting and on behalf of his/her students who have access to free education.