(Phnom Penh): To support continued access to education for children affected by displacement along the Cambodia–Thailand border, the United Kingdom, through the British Embassy Phnom Penh, is working in partnership with World Vision International in Cambodia to support education for children residing in temporary displacement sites.
The partnership focuses on ensuring that children whose schooling has been temporarily disrupted are able to continue learning in safe, inclusive, and quality learning opportunities while residing in displacement sites. As part of this collaboration, the British Ambassador to Cambodia is visiting displacement sites where World Vision is supporting affected communities, highlighting the UK’s ongoing engagement in supporting children’s education and wellbeing.
Since early December, population movements linked to the situation along the border have affected access to education services in several provinces. Temporary school closures and displacement have disrupted learning for many children, underscoring the importance of education support during periods of transition.
In response, World Vision International in Cambodia conducted a Rapid Needs Assessment in Preah Vihear, Siem Reap and Banteay Meanchey provinces, which identified the urgent need for safe learning spaces, learning materials, and continued teaching for children living in temporary accommodation. Based on these findings, World Vision, with support from the UK, is establishing child-friendly temporary classrooms and working closely with Provincial and District Education Offices to deploy teachers and deliver curriculum-aligned learning.
“Visiting families and children in conflict-affected communities in Banteay Meanchey reminded me that the effects of conflict continue long after the immediate crisis,” said Dominic Williams, British Ambassador to Cambodia. “Seeing the disruption to children’s education firsthand was particularly concerning, as it shapes both their future opportunities and the wellbeing of their communities. I am pleased that, through our partnership with World Vision International Cambodia, we are helping to ensure children in temporary accommodation can continue learning, while working closely with local authorities and communities to meet evolving needs.”
“Education is often one of the first things children lose when displaced, yet it is also one of the most vital to restore,” said Janes Imanuel Ginting, National Director of World Vision International in Cambodia. “Thanks to the generous support of the UK Embassy, we are helping children in temporary shelters reclaim not just their education, but also their sense of normalcy, safety, and dignity. Through child-friendly spaces and ongoing learning, we aim to give them the structure, care, and hope every child deserves—even in the most difficult circumstances.”
The initiative aims to provide children in Grades 1–6 with access to safe, inclusive, and supervised learning environments that help maintain learning routines, support psychosocial wellbeing, and reduce the risk of learning loss during displacement. By maintaining continuity of education, the project will support children’s readiness to transition back into formal schooling as conditions allow.
=FRESH NEWS
