SALASUSU

At the time of its founding, SALASUSU focused on life skills education, encouraging people to enjoy their life journeys with resilience and authenticity. Through this work, however, we came to recognize that in order to create widespread and lasting impact across Cambodia-and to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty-it is essential to transform the education system itself. This realization led us to shift our focus toward public education reform through the professional development of in-service teachers. Cambodia has made significant progress in improving access to education, with primary school enrollment exceeding 95%. However, learning outcomes remain a critical challenge. Accord... read more At the time of its founding, SALASUSU focused on life skills education, encouraging people to enjoy their life journeys with resilience and authenticity. Through this work, however, we came to recognize that in order to create widespread and lasting impact across Cambodia-and to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty-it is essential to transform the education system itself. This realization led us to shift our focus toward public education reform through the professional development of in-service teachers. Cambodia has made significant progress in improving access to education, with primary school enrollment exceeding 95%. However, learning outcomes remain a critical challenge. According to national assessments by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), a large proportion of students do not reach minimum proficiency levels in literacy and mathematics by the end of primary school. One of the key reasons for this gap is that classroom practice has not sufficiently evolved. Many teachers understandably teach in the same way they were taught, reproducing teacher-centered approaches that prioritize the transfer of knowledge from teacher to student. Teachers often see their primary role as delivering the prescribed curriculum and work under considerable time pressure to complete it. In such conditions, opportunities to reflect on their own teaching, observe how students are learning, or consult with colleagues about challenges are extremely limited. As a result, even highly committed teachers face structural barriers to improving their classroom practices in ways that better support student learning. To address this challenge, SALASUSU promotes Lesson Study as a practical and sustainable approach to teacher development. In this process, teachers use one another's classrooms as shared learning spaces. Rather than evaluating the teacher, they closely observe how children learn during lessons, paying attention to students' thinking processes, struggles, and interactions. Teachers learn directly from these observations, while also incorporating diverse perspectives from their colleagues. Through this collaborative and reflective process, teachers gradually improve their own teaching. Lesson Study thus creates a continuous cycle of learning from practice, from students, and from one another. Since 2021, SALASUSU has expanded its work into public education reform, collaborating with Teacher Education Colleges, District Education Offices, and public vocational schoools. In partnership with attached schools of Teacher Education Colleges, we have supported over 100 teachers through structured lesson study programs. As a result, more than 90% of participating teachers reported that the approach was beneficial, and over 80% implemented concrete improvements in their classrooms. In 2024, we established an experimental "Laboratory School" in a rural area of Siem Reap Province as a research and development hub for teacher training methods. While providing classes in literacy, mathematics, arts, and ethics to local children, teachers regularly engage in lesson study cycles. The school has reached over 280 children and has demonstrated visible changes in both student engagement and teacher practices. In these classrooms, the role of the teacher shifts fundamentally-from a transmitter of knowledge to a facilitator of learning. Teachers spend more time observing students, understanding their thinking, and providing support that enables active participation. As a result, children who previously struggled or disengaged begin to collaborate with peers, express their ideas, and regain confidence in learning. Beyond individual schools, SALASUSU has also contributed to systemic change. Through a project with public vocational schools (2021-2025), we supported 192 teachers across 14 institutions, indirectly benefiting more than 7,000 students. A teacher training guidebook developed through this initiative has been officially adopted by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, ensuring sustainability and scalability of the approach. We also promote cross-border learning among educators. Through our "Learning Journey" program, teachers from Cambodia, Japan, and Vietnam engage in mutual observation, dialogue, and reflection. These exchanges foster not only improved teaching practices but also a shared commitment to inclusive and student-centered education across countries. At its core, SALASUSU's work is grounded in the belief that education should nurture not only academic skills, but also dignity, empathy, and the capacity to live a meaningful life. Classrooms that emphasize dialogue, collaboration, and respect for diverse perspectives contribute to the development of democratic values and social cohesion. In contexts where inequality and social tensions persist, such educational transformation plays a crucial role in building peaceful and resilient societies. Currently, SALASUSU operates with a team of Cambodian and international staff and works in close collaboration with government partners, universities, and researchers. Looking ahead, we aim to expand our model across Cambodia and into other parts of Asia by systematizing and sharing our practices through research, data, and policy engagement. By embedding our approach within public systems and working closely with government partners, we aim to ensure that these changes are not only effective, but also scalable and sustainable. Through our work, we strive to create a society where all people-regardless of where they are born-can enjoy their life journey and realize their full potential.