PHNOM PENH – More than 14,000 children who were missing out on education returned to school from February last year until June this year, a 168% increase in the target figure.
They have enrolled in the Consortium for Out-of-School Children (CCOSC), a program aimed to bring marginalized students back to education in 10 provinces, World Vision Cambodia said.
Out-of-school children are categorized as those not attending school, children able to go to school but not enrolled, children able to go to school and enrolled but not attending, children in an emergency or crisis and those who drop out.
“We are committed to ensuring that every child in our targeted area receives a quality education,” said Mat Somit, World Vision Cambodia’s senior project manager for education.
“We have included all children enrolled in the project into the elementary curriculum and provided material support for their studies.
“Seeing children’s smiles when they get our support makes us work harder,” he said.
World Vision Cambodia signed a partnership agreement with Aide et Action in 2023 on CCOSC covering 638 primary schools in 31 districts in Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kandal, Kampong Thom, Kratie, Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Siem Reap.
Vorn Samphors, Aide et Action’s country director, said that the key achievement is to ensure that disadvantaged children, families and communities can benefit from education.
Started in 2014, CCOSC aims to enrol more than 116,000 out-of-school children by 2024. In 2022, more than 23,000 were enrolled by the consortium which consists of 29 NGOs.
(Article was published on Cambodianess / Publication date 09 August 2024)
