Discrimination is a serious issue, and it becomes even more concerning when it involves a student with a disability. Unfortunately, students with disabilities are at a higher risk of being bullied and discriminated against than their peers without disabilities. Bullying can have a detrimental impact on a student’s mental health and academic performance. Schools must take action to prevent and address bullying.
Action Education in partnership with Education Above All, through its Educate A Child programme, in collaboration with Ockenden Organization and schools, has come together to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. As part of this initiative, students are educated on the harmful effects of bullying, teachers are provided with training on how to recognize and respond to bullying, and appropriate consequences are implemented for students who engage in bullying behavior. Additionally, this partnership works towards strengthening collaboration among education sector stakeholders to increase access to quality and inclusive education for all.
Naksi VAT is a Lao ethnic student, 9-year-old, she has a disability in her right hand, which has no fingers. She lives with her parents and other four siblings, including one younger sister in a rural village, Vernsai district, Ratanakiri province. Ratanakiri is a province of northeast Cambodia. It borders the provinces of Mondulkiri to the south and Stung Treng to the west and the countries of Laos and Vietnam to the north and east, respectively.
Naksi’s parents work as farmers. Her parents were hired to clear grass and collect cashews for other farmers to earn some money. In 2021, when Naksi studied in grade 2, she dropped out of school for two years.
“When I went to school, my classmates often insulted me verbally and made fun of my hand. They expressed discrimination towards me. I felt very embarrassed by their words and actions. Therefore, I decided to stop going to school, Naksi said.
The main challenge in Naksi’s studies also was her family did not have enough money to buy school supplies and clothes. They were able to use only a small amount of the money to buy study materials as they had to set aside much of their earnings to support the family on daily living expenses.
However, in August 2023. Naksi was selected to join The Cambodian Consortium for Out of School Children, a project that helped ethnic minority children like her get an education. This project provided Naksi with a scholarship in cash to support her study.
“My mother bought me a lot of essential learning materials I needed such as books, pens, pencils, clothes, a bag, and a pair of shoes. These materials made me happy and motivated me to go to school regularly and continue my studies in class,” said Naksi.
In addition, the teachers also explained and instructed all the students to not discriminate against students with disabilities. The students learned to respect and accept Naksi for who she is.
“Now I have a lot of classmates who play with me, it makes me very happy and I like to go to school and learn new things.”, Naksi happily said.
“My favorite subject is mathematics because it is accurate, easy to think and do, and I learn new things every day. I want to study until the completion of grade 12. I dream of becoming a primary school teacher for the next generation of children at my village school, and I want to share my knowledge with them and help them achieve their dreams. Khmer language is my second favorite subject, but it is complicated and difficult for me because I am Laotian and study Khmer script.”, Naksi added.
The Y Toub Primary School is not comfortable and safe for students. It is a concrete building with toilets and a well, but there is no electricity and most of the doors and windows of the classrooms are broken. When it rains, the roof leaks and rainwater enters the classroom, making it difficult to study. Sometimes cows and buffaloes walk into the school yard and the students are afraid of them.
“I want the [Y Toub Primary School] principal and teachers to renovate the fence, garden, and new classrooms. It is much safer and attracts more children like us who want to come to school.” Naksi insisted.
Ms. Bunoy, the mother of Naksi, also received support from the project through OOSC-Families Livelihood & In-Kind. She said, “My family was struggling to make a daily living, so the village chief and the village committee selected us to join the livelihood project. They provided me with a training course on pig-raising techniques, as well as materials and a breeding pig. I am very happy to have this opportunity to help my children learn. I will work hard to raise this pig well and earn money to support my family and children’s education until grade 12.”
The CCOSC project helped Naksi’s family and other villagers understand the importance of education and enabled them to send their children to school. As a villager, Naksi’s parents have seen and learned that many children face difficulties in getting an education due to poverty, lack of food, and lack of school supplies and transportation. Some of them drop out of school or go to school irregularly because they have to help their parents do farming. Some of them are overaged for school and feel ashamed to go to school. On the other hand, teachers come to teach irregularly during the rainy season due to heavy rains and damaged roads.
“I have a dream for my daughter, Naksi, to be a primary school teacher here because she is disabled and cannot physically do hard work but she is capable of helping other children get a quality education. I strongly support and encourage other villagers who are illiterate like me to send their children to attend school regularly. I also dream of having more agriculture and income for my family; therefore, I have to work hard. I would like to thank our donor who made a positive difference in the lives of my family, my children, and my community as a whole.”, said mother’s Naksi.
