Navigating education in Cambodia – an exclusive interview

For the last 2 years, the COVID-19 world crisis has created new social and educational difficulties for impoverished children in the countryside and slums. How is Cambodia facing these unprecedented difficulties?

2020 and 2021 were the worst years. The years which had us face the most difficult challenge. It was the first time in 40 years that schools were closed for such a long time in Cambodia. Tough decisions had to be taken, especially when we had to turn schools into emergency hospitals to treat Covid-19 patients. Other schools became quarantine or vaccination centres. We had to reconsider our priorities regarding education. The goal was twofold: we had to make sure that the negative impact of the pandemic on the life and property of teachers, students, and school staff was minimal or nonexistent. At the same time, despite schools closing, we had to ensure the continuity of education and learning.

Regarding this last point, we witnessed the rise of innovative teaching methods in Cambodia. First is correspondence learning. Teachers kept up their pedagogical activities with their pupils by sending them exercises and handouts. In addition, there were the use of broadcasting systems such as radio stations and television for educational materials. In the month that followed schools closing in Cambodia, 77 television channels and many radio stations were requisitioned for live lessons and educational programs. Voluntary teachers were also sent to villages to meet pupils and lead small study groups. Finally, one must not forget the rise of digital education, online learning, the use of learning management systems, digital educational content production, etc

Online learning may not only be a financial challenge for the poorest families but also leads children to be exposed to the dangers of screens and the internet early on (addiction, online gaming, pornography, child abuse). How do you think families can anticipate these issues?

One must be careful! Foremost, as an educator, I wish to state and underline a deeply held conviction: online learning will not and will never replace the relationship between teachers and students. Ever since the digital transformation of the central education system in Cambodia, we have observed that the speed and the trend of the digital transformation of our society has been accelerated by 10 years compared to what we predicted. Although online learning has many benefits, we must recognize that shortcomings and issues remain within our education system. Over the recent period, I see no evidence that digital education can fill these gaps or solve these problems, on the other hand, we can see negative effects.

Regarding the digital divide, it has been recognizethat we are creating a new gap between the rich and poor students, between the students able to obtain that knowledge and those who will struggle to access the digital world. However, I do not agree to say that it is a financial challenge for families. I have asked a great number of internet providers in Cambodia. We have found that the internet package has been similarly priced before and during the pandemic. This means that although students have had to resort to more online learning, their spending has not increased. I see many comments saying that poor students can not read or watch videos online. To me, that is not entirely correct.

Finally, regarding the security of pupils on the internet, one must admit that those issues are well-known of both parents and students. It is probable in the past, these problems could go unnoticed in society, but with the rise of e-learning, everyone is aware that we must report child abuse, sexual discrimination, or even pornography among underage students. I hope that the legal tools to punish the culprits and raise awareness in society will follow.

For the last 30 years, Children of the Mekong has been working, not only with the Khmer people in refugee camps, but also within the country. For the last 30 years, we have built schools, supported the poorest people to have access to a decent education, opened centres and shared houses. How does the government perceive this work?

Children of the Mekong is part of the history of childhood in Cambodia. Since the mid 1980’s, when the refugee camps between Thailand and Cambodia became buffers between the nightmare and the dream of a new life for thousands of Cambodians. We must thank Children of the Mekong, who understood the needs of Cambodian children. The organization was amongst the first to reach out to children and people of Cambodia. Children of the Mekong has become the family of hope: a family of trust, warmth and kindness for thousands of young people and adults. Unfortunately, I am unable to tell how much Children of the Mekong has brought to Cambodian children and how happy they are and how highly they regard the organization’s help. That would be an endless discussion!