Dorm Transition Updates in Cambodia

In the second week in February, the Transition Team met with Mr. Thy SeakNi, the head teachers and dormitory manager about the transition of dormitories to Lumphat high school and their management and responsibilities after transition from UWS. They discussed building repairs, supporting students and managing the challenges the students may face, especially girls.

Additionally, we conducted meetings with the students directly (95 students, of whom 51 were girls) about the dormitory transition. The meeting encouraged the students to strive for a life of learning, to have an open mind for different experiences and to maintain studying as a daily habit. The meeting focused on the themes of learning to know, learning to do, learning to be and learning to live together. Mr SoKheng encouraged the students to work hard, share their experiences and knowledge with their dormitory mates and to be determined to learn and achieve their goal.

Master of Ceremony, Ms. Senghun presented on the reason and goal of transition from UWS to the high school and Nan Sitha, UWS Cambodia Country Director also spoke about the goal of transition, the organisation and working in partnership before transition and after transition.

The four head teachers thanked UWS and described the impact of the dormitory on the students. They also spoke of the plan for head teachers and about the learning outcomes and enrolment for this year (2023) in comparison to 2022. 339 students (174 girls) enrolled in the dorms in 2023, compared to 357 students (165 girls) in 2022, showing a decrease in overall enrolment, but an increase in female student enrolment.

Although, UWS has transitioned the four dormitories to the responsibility of 1 secondary school and 3 high schools across Ratanakiri provinces and Stueng Treng Province, we continue to keep good cooperation with each other to support the learning of students from remotes areas, to reduce of dropout of school rates, and to improve the progression rates of students from remotes from primary school into secondary school and high school.