School plants seed of learning success with new vegetable garden

Adapted by an original blog post by Hak Hang

Students work on the school’s new vegetable garden
©UNICEF Cambodia/2016/Lim Sokchanlina

Inspired initiatives such as meal sources from the school’s organic vegetable garden and new sanitation facilities are helping to raise the enrolment rate of indigenous students at a school in north eastern Ratanakiri province.

Touch Chreang, Chongra village chief and head of the Chongra Primary School’s SSC
©UNICEF Cambodia/2016/Lim Sokchanlina

Touch Chreang — Chongra village chief and head of the School Support Committee (SSC) at Chongra Primary School — said the improvements had been achieved because of proactive intervention activities implemented by the SSC.

The committee has been working hard to improve school conditions and raise awareness about the importance of education within the Tumpuon ethnic community.

A meeting of the Chongra Primary School’s SSC
©UNICEF Cambodia/2016/Lim Sokchanlina

“We put an emphasis on hygiene, school environment and nutrition, so the number of students enrolled significantly increased year by year.”

Mr Chreang has seen a lot of changes in his community since the school was first built in 2005.

The SSC has eight members, it is made up of representatives of local authorities and teaching staff. It works closely with the community’s elderly representatives.

Touch Chreang speaks to community members about the importance of education
©UNICEF Cambodia/2016/Lim Sokchanlina

Mr. Chreang said he explains the values of education to parents and guardians so they gradually understand and follow his advice to send their children to school.

Before the school year begins, he also reminds villagers through the community loud speaker system to enrol their children.

“Before the community didn’t understand, but now they know the importance of education and they send their children to study at school,” he said.

Students head to school on the SSC’s donated bikes
©UNICEF Cambodia/2016/Lim Sokchanlina

However, obstacles still remain. A lack of transportation, a general poor standard of living and the widespread practice of families migrating to find work are some of the main drivers of schools absenteeism and dropout rates.

The SSC said that some students have to travel as far as 10 km to get to school. To address this major inconvenience, the SSC donates bicycles to students residing in remote locations. It also supports students who lack financial resources, with study materials.

“We motivate students who live far away to come to school,” said Mr Chreang.

Touch Chreang waits on the remote road to Chongra village
©UNICEF Cambodia/2016/Lim Sokchanlina

Mr Chreang was invited by international development organization Care Cambodia to attend a two-day workshop in Kampot province in early 2016.

This event gave him a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences with other teachers and education officers from across the country; to learn how to efficiently manage the SSC; and how to work with the community to improve education services within the locality.

The workshop was supported by the Capacity Development Partnership Fund (CDPF) — a multi-donor fund implemented by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), with support from the European Union (EU), the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and UNICEF.

Students watering new vegetables in the school garden
©UNICEF Cambodia/2016/Lim Sokchanlina

Mr Chreang has applied his new found knowledge to improve the overall learning experience at Chongra Primary School.

New varieties of vegetables have been added to the school garden and these are cooked daily for students to improve their nutrition — and with an improved diet the students are in a better mental and physical condition to learn.

Students taking advantage of the school’s new hand-washing station
©UNICEF Cambodia/2016/Lim Sokchanlina

In addition, the school’s hygiene standards have improved with new toilets and a hand-washing facility, as well as improvements to the general school environment.

“These developments have improved the school’s reputation, resulting in an increase in student numbers,” said Mr. Chreang.

“Mr Chreang and the SSC play a very important role in promoting students to go to school, and in raising money from the community and donors to develop the school,” said Mr Kun, the school director.

An aerial view of the school’s vegetable garden
©UNICEF Cambodia/2016/Lim Sokchanlina

For Mr. Chreang, improved education brings a great sense of pride to his school and the wider community, especially within the Tumpuon indigenous population.

“I do the work because I want the indigenous community to be as well educated as other Khmer citizens. This will bring development and improve our livelihoods,” he added.