Establish 3 village pre-schools in 3 remote districts that will improve the children's healthy development, teach them communication skills, provide a foundation for primary school, promote parent's awareness of the importance of education and be model for other pre-schools. Caring for Young Khmer will establish the schools, provide supplies and equipment, train the teacher, support the community to manage the pre-school, do monitoring and handover to the community after three years.
Children in remote areas often do poorly in primary school and country-wide more than 10% drop out early. In 2015-16 in Cambodia only 37% of children aged 3-5 years attended pre-school but much less in remote areas where parents will take the children to the field or leave them unattended. Pre-schools are not a priority for local governments but there is strong demand from some communities and community leaders. The Government is committed to expanding the number of pre-schools.
Since 2011 CYK has established 11 village pre-schools in 2 provinces with 5 becoming self-reliant so the model works. Valuable experience has been gained in establishing the pre-schools and working with communities in making them a success. The pre-schools, which become self-reliant after three years, will be models for the communities and local government. Children who attend preschools have a great advantage in healthy early development and good performance in primary school.
The 90 children and their communities of 1,445 people will gain direct benefit through the healthy early development of the children, improved performance in primary school and reduced drop-out rates. Communities learn to be self-reliant in operating the schools. Successful schools will serve as a model and a driver for communities and local government at commune, district and provincial levels to establish more village pre-schools.
