our programmes
Children's Education
Creating lasting positive changes through access to quality early childhood education
the challenge
In Cambodia, for every 2 children that enrol in primary school, 1 will drop out before they reach secondary school (UNESCO 2013). This is especially so in rural villages where families are poorer and distances to school are further.
Although Cambodia has made tangible progress in education, children in rural districts continue to fall behind in school. Poor quality teaching in early childhood education coupled with insufficient nutrition, leave children developmentally behind.
Our Response
Our goals are to improve access to early childhood education, reduce dropout rates of primary school students while increasing graduation rates, improve literacy, basic English skills and hygiene and sanitation knowledge. Our new WASH in Schools project aims to ensure every student has access to clean drinking water all year round, handwashing and sanitation facilities and a healthy, clean school environment.
Our Impact
Over 91% of students completing Kindergarten enrol in Primary School
50% improvement in results following Summer School project
6 kindergarten classes handed over to authorities
Over 10,000 children have benefitted from TGF’s education programme
School Support Communities
In accordance with the guidelines set out by the Ministry of Education & Sports (MoEYS), every public school in Cambodia is mandated to establish the School Support Committees (SSCs). The SSC comprises of students, parents, teachers, school principal, and local officials. The goal is to improve community engagement and oversee the management of each school.
TGF provides the necessary training and resources to the SSCs of 12 primary schools in 2 communes of Chi Kraeng district. This ensures the delivery of quality learning in child-friendly environments.
Each SSC identifies households with children of school age, monitors their enrolment and progression through school, and conducts biannual home visits to households of children with low attendance. Meetings are arranged at least 6 times per year to discuss school development and administrative issues.
Community Kindergarten
Since 2010, TGF has been working with the Ministry of Education Youth & Sports (MoEYS) and multiple villages to facilitate the establishment of community-based Early Childhood Education programmes in their communities. These programmes are part of MoEYS’s goal to increase primary enrolment.
Community Kindergartens (CKs) ensure that children between 3 to 6 years old living in remote villages attend pre-school classes. The Commune Council and local community monitors the setup of primary schools in villages that have none.
TGF currently works with 12 kindergartens to provide training, resources, capacity building for local authorities, and monitoring of their classes.
Life Skills and Key Skills
Life Skills
Since 2011, TGF has supported MOYES’s mandate to implement the Life Skills curriculum — a national programme devised to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become competent workers in their fields.
Modules include service, handicrafts, and agriculture. This ensures that students understand the importance of nutrition, and how to grow various crops in a dedicated school garden.
All produce goes toward “Free School Breakfast”, a local programme which provides fresh vegetables for a nutritious breakfast for every student.
Key Skills
In 2017, the Key Skills programme was introduced to complement the Life Skills curriculum and follow the National curriculum.
This programme helps Grade 6 students across 8 primary schools with Maths and Khmer language. Core subjects such as the Sciences and Social Studies are also taught.
These extra tuitions will help every child to pass grade 6 and progress to secondary education.
Summer School
Through TGF’s annual summer school programme, TGF funds classes for over 1000 children in grades 6 and 7. This assists students to transition to secondary school, and those who have completed their first year.
Core subjects such as Maths, Khmer literacy, Science, and English classes are also provided to help students move from primary school to secondary school.
English Language
As part of MoEYS’s Education Strategic Plan to offer all Grades 4 to 6 students access to 4 hours of English language classes per week, TGF has been subsidising English language classes in 4 primary schools since 2010.
TGF provides teacher training and resources at all 5 schools, facilitates regular meetings, and mentor teachers.
WASH in Schools
TGF’s WASH in Schools project is based on the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS), Minimum Standards On Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS).
The project contributes to the promotion of health and the effectiveness of educational services in 12 primary schools. TGF upgrades the schools’ WASH infrastructure and introduces simple activities related to water, sanitation, and hygiene. These reduce nutritional problems and infectious diseases, especially diarrhea and respiratory infection.
In addition, TGF provides soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste to students every year. Schools are then assessed against MoEYS criteria and are awarded a score of 1-3 stars based on the results.
WASH in Schools
TGF's WASH in Schools project is based on the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS), Minimum Standards On Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS).
The project contributes to the promotion of health and the effectiveness of educational services in 12 primary schools. TGF upgrades the schools' WASH infrastructure and introduces simple activities related to water, sanitation, and hygiene. These reduce nutritional problems and infectious diseases, especially diarrhea and respiratory infection.
In addition, TGF provides soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste to students every year. Schools are then assessed against MoEYS criteria and are awarded a score of 1-3 stars based on the results.
Other programmes
Improving access to vocational training, community-led micro-finance, and business opportunity for individuals and groups
