In 2022, the Cambodian Consortium for Out of School Children (CCOSC) supported more than 23,000 out-of-school children nationwide, while also training more than 3,000 teachers.
The project received financial support from the Educate A Child (EAC) of the Education Above All Foundation, which was re-implemented in the second phase following the reopening of schools after the Covid-19 closures. The programme began in 2014.
Aide et Action (AEA) said in a press statement on the one-year achievement of enrolling vulnerable children after schools reopened on February 21 that CCOSC has successfully registered 23,589 out-of-school children and trained 3,203 teachers.
It said the programme activities are diverse and multi-faceted, including the provision of infrastructure, teacher training, scholarships, livelihood support, and institutional strengthening.
“CCOSC is a nationwide educational action project that has registered and secured 23,589 out-of-school children, including children who have been unable to attend school, have never been to school, or have never enrolled at schools in order to get them to have the opportunity to go to school,” it said.
Vorn Samphors, AEA country director, said the project includes children who are eligible for school but have not yet enrolled or are late; those who have enrolled but do not attend school, or have dropped out due to a crisis.
“CCOSC works to provide equitable access to primary school for out-of-school children. We seek to overcome economic, physical, behavioral, and institutional obstacles to education. We also work to improve the quality and efficiency of education services to improve teaching quality,” he added.
Ros Soveacha, spokesman for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, welcomed the partner organisation’s efforts to encourage out-of-school children to attend school.
“The education ministry welcomes positive cooperation from ministries-institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector. Educators, parents, students and local authorities all contribute to improving the quality of education, including encouraging students to attend classes according to the ministry’s schedule for each school year,” he said.
The AEA is an international organization headquartered in Paris, France. It began its programmes in India in 1981 and is now working in more than 20 countries across Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China to support the development of sustainable educational projects.
AEA began working in Southeast Asia in 2002, first in Cambodia and later extending its programs to Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and China through both partnerships and direct implementation with local stakeholders, including NGOs, government institutions and communities.
(Article was published on Phnom Penh Post / Publication date 21 February 2023)
