Save the Children International Cambodia has completed extensive renovation work at a primary school in Kampong Chhnang province’s Baribo district. Photo supplied
With the support of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and South Korea’s KSFC Foundation, Save the Children International Cambodia has completed extensive renovation work at a primary school in Kampong Chhnang province’s Baribo district.
The work, at Kampong Preah Primary School, aims to increase access to education, as part of the “Safe Back to School – Pathways in Educational Equity and Resilience (PEER)” project.
“This infrastructure assistance benefits 49 girls and 40 boys by improving the learning environment and learning and teaching quality,” said the organisation’s March 14 press release.
To celebrate the completion of the renovations, a ceremony was held at the school on March 12. The ceremony was attended by Ly Phallin, deputy district governor and Huh Myung-jin, director of the KSFC Foundation, as well as representatives of Save the Children and the local community.
Beyond the physical renovations, the PEER project also offered additional assistance to the school.
It provided training in grade 1 to 3 reading and math packages, as well as a printer and paper to create learning materials.
The project installed WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) facilities, offered training on gender equality and inclusion, delivered personal protective equipment, built the capacity of the school management committee, and provided new library materials, including books and bookshelves.
Phallin addressed the ceremony, noting that the new work is in line with phase one of the government’s Pentagonal Strategy: “Side 1 focusing on Enhancement of the Quality of Education, Sports, Science and Technology”.
“I urge all parents and caregivers to send their children to school. Do not leave them at home or allow them to spend too much time playing on their phones, so they will grow up and become tomorrow’s leaders,” he said.
Huh explained that his foundation supported the renovations as part of its contribution to improving the educational environment for the children of Cambodia.
“You are the future leaders of Cambodia and Asia. If you dream big and study hard, your dream will come true for sure. The KSFC Foundation looks forward to your healthy growth and academic achievement,” he added.
The press release said the renovated building includes a grade 3 classroom, a library, an infirmary and new restrooms. Before the renovation, Kampong Preah Primary School only served grade 1 and 2 students, due to a shortage of learning spaces.
“The renovation has transformed a damaged building that was out of use for a long time into a safe and child-friendly learning space. Thanks to the additional learning space made by the renovation, the school has been able to serve grade 3 students since this new academic year,” it added.
In addition to the renovation work at the school, Save the Children is supporting the construction of Kror Chab Primary School, with financial support from the KSFC Foundation and Save the Children Korea, to provide a safe, child-friendly, and inclusive learning environment to the children living in the flooding-prone, marginalised area in the district. The construction will be completed by the end of April.
