In villages surrounding the Tonle Sap region, many children are facing a stark reality: without access to high school education, their futures appear uncertain.
Parents and community members are expressing worry as local high schools remain out of reach for numerous families, highlighting the urgent need for affordable and accessible educational options.
This growing concern threatens not only the aspirations of these young students but also the long-term development of the entire community.
For many students in rural Cambodia, the dream of higher education is overshadowed by financial hardship and limited access to schools. With a weary face, one young student expressed her dilemma: despite her passion for learning, she may have to drop out after this year due to her family’s financial struggles.
“I want to pursue my education beyond just the secondary level, but it is challenging because our family has scarce resources, she said with a weary face. “Despite my passion for study, I might have to drop out after this year.”
The challenge is even greater, as continuing her education would require relocating to Battambang province—an option made difficult by the lack of relatives or support in the area.
“If I were to continue, I would need to find a new home to stay in Battambang province, which is another challenge, as we don’t have any relatives for me to rely on there,” she added.
At Prey Chas Secondary School, both female and male students are provided the accommodations, ensuring their consistent presence for the classes, said Sok Kun, Prey Chas Secondary School’s principal.
“We are providing the accommodations for 27 female and 36 male students, whose houses are almost out of daily reach of the school,” she said. “This at least ensures that they get to finish grade 9.”
Proeung Sopheap, a mother of six, expressed her hope for her children to pursue higher education. However, she hesitated, acknowledging the challenges of living along the Tonle Sap, where daily transportation is already difficult. This makes the idea of her children moving elsewhere for better access to high school and higher education seem uncertain.
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport spokeswoman, Khuon Vichheka, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
To address the remaining educational concern, Education Above All (EAA) Foundation in partnership with Action Education Cambodia have jointly cooperated to enrol nearly 200,000 out-of-school children (OOSC) since 2012, with 5,256 children at risk of dropping out receiving targeted support to remain in education.
“We support the children along the Tonle Sap, including the ones in Prey Chas commune, through various channels, from supporting quality education to direct support to them and their families, such as the provision of scholarships and access to clean water and proper toilets,” said Vorn Samphors, Country Director of Action Education Cambodia, during an interview yesterday.
Even with no access to high school within the communes, he added, the students can access the ones in Battambang’s Ek Phnom commune, where continued support will be provided for them as much as possible.
Jade McCulloch is director of engagement at Educate A Child programme of Education Above All Foundation.
Sopheak SREY is communication and partnership manager at Action Education in Cambodia.
Education Above All Foundation, with its partner Action Education, supports efforts to ensure displaced children have access to quality education.
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