Inclusive Education in Cambodia: Successes and Challenges
Schools in Cambodia are working to welcome students with disabilities. It's a tough job, but it's important for giving all students a fair chance.
- English
- Khmer
22 February 2024, Siem Reap - With a smile that could light up a room, 7-year-old Hak Sasda enters his integrated classroom in Siem Reap’s Prim Sa Sa Sdam primary school, an hour drive to the iconic Angkor Wat. Despite the challenges of cerebral palsy, Sasda's determination shines through as he grips his pencil tightly and eagerly participates in educational games. His infectious laughter fills the air as he matches fruit cards with Khmer scripts, celebrating each correct answer with a triumphant fist pump.
"Sasda comprehends lessons perfectly. His eagerness to join activities touches our hearts deeply," shares his special education teacher, Mrs. Yung Phean, who prepares games and activities tailored to his learning abilities.
"I want to become a spider-policeman, spinning strong webs to save my mom!" Sasda conveys through enthusiastic gestures, demonstrating a spiderweb shooting pose with both hands. His eyes glisten imagining his superhero alter ego swooping in to protect his beloved mother.
In downtown Siem Reap, lies the Siem Reap Special Education High School, renowned for its exceptional special education program. Here, 9-year-old Dim Naroath, a visually impaired student with an undeniable passion for Khmer pop music, immerses herself in the world of Braille books. Her fingers gracefully glide across the pages, unlocking a world of stories and fueling her dream of becoming the next Cambodian idol.
"Reading gives her confidence; it's her stage," notes her teacher, Mrs. Heng Krot, who marvels at Naroath's ability to paint vivid pictures in her mind. "She could read for hours, lost in her own creative universe," Mrs. Heng adds with a smile.
For Naroath, each braille dot is a note in her melody, every page a step closer to her dream. "I may not see the world as you do, but through music and stories, I'll share how I feel it," she says, flashing her toothy grin.
"I'm aiming for the stars – to be a pop rockstar. Who says you need to see to sing or reach for the stars?" Naroath shares, her fingers gracefully across the sleek bumpy Braille pages. "When I start singing, I float into happiness!"
Sasda and Naroath are just two examples of students with disabilities thriving in classrooms across Cambodia, thanks to the government's efforts in partnership with UNICEF to promote inclusive education. Their stories highlight the strides made in broadening access and inclusion for children with disabilities within Cambodia's educational landscape.
Since 2018, with support from UNICEF, Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS) has implemented inclusive education training for teachers, positively impacting over 17,000 students with disabilities annually. Additionally, UNICEF-supported curriculum reached over 500 marginalized students in its first year, and the National Institute for Special Education (NISE) was established in 2017 to upskill teachers in inclusive education.
However, challenges persist, particularly in rural provinces where infrastructure limitations and entrenched attitudes remain. Over 57 percent of Cambodian children with disabilities are still denied access to education, compared to just 7 percent of their peers without disabilities.
According to the latest data from MoEYS for 2024, the distribution of students in special education schools by types of impairment reveals 199 students with visual impairments, 184 with intellectual disabilities, and 635 with hearing impairments. These figures underscore the pressing need for a more expansive implementation of inclusive education.
"Inclusion can't wait," urges UNICEF Representative Will Parks, emphasizing the importance of giving all children fair opportunities. "Every child has an equal right to quality education to empower society's most vulnerable."
