Donate

The Challenge

We tackle the root causes of extreme learning poverty by upskilling teachers and leaders

Challenges to Quality Education in Cambodia

90%

of teachers were killed during the Cambodian Civil War
The legacy of the recent Khmer Rouge regime: The civil war decimated the education system in Cambodia, killing 90% of teachers and 96% of university graduates. This trauma continues to have a negative impact on teachers and school communities today.

3%

of children reach minimum learning standards
Extreme learning poverty significantly hinders educational attainment, growth, and development potential: Many children in rural Cambodia struggle to meet basic learning requirements. By the age of fifteen, 97% of children are unable to demonstrate proficiency in literacy and maths.

65%

of teachers do not have a formal teaching degree
Lack of qualified teachers: Only 35% of teachers have higher education, with most teachers completing only a short two-year course. This means that many teachers are not equipped to provide quality instruction, making teachers feel isolated, unsupported, discouraged, and less effective.

94%

of school principals have never received leadership training
Underinvestment in school leadership: Only 6% of school principals in Cambodia have received training. This lack of investment in school leadership and limited opportunities for professional development are a significant barrier to improving education.

Regional Inequalities and Northwest Cambodia