SUCCESS & INNOVATION

Navigating the Future: How the "Trey Visay" App and CO-SAVED Project Transformed Phnom Lork Secondary School with Purpose and Determination

 

Located in a remote coastal area, over 38 kilometers from Kampot provincial town, Phnom Lork Secondary School was once an institution besieged by challenges, reflecting the struggles of a community primarily dependent on fishing. In a context where the sound of ocean waves and fishing boats often drowned out the school bell, education was frequently overlooked, and the futures of over 300 students seemed shrouded in a thick fog of uncertainty. However, the arrival of the CO-SAVED project brought a new light, particularly through the deployment of the "Trey Visay App" (Compass App), which became a key to unlocking the future and profoundly shifting the mindsets of both students and teachers.

 

Before the intervention of the CO-SAVED project, Ms. Keo Sok, the Vice Principal of Phnom Lork Secondary School, lived in a state of constant worry and stress. The critical issue was not merely the absenteeism of students forced to help their parents fish, but a profound lack of "life goals." Most students attended school merely to go through the motions; they did not understand the importance of study planning, could not identify their preferred skills, and lacked information about universities or vocational training. This problem was compounded by a trend attracting students to drop out of public school to learn Chinese for immediate, short-term high wages. This factor demoralized students from continuing their general education, and Ms. Sok herself struggled to track and manage students due to a lack of effective communication systems with guardians.

 

The turning point arrived when the CO-SAVED project, implemented by KAPE in partnership with Aide et Action (AeA), brought new curriculum and modern technology to the school. The "Trey Visay" program was not just a mobile application; it was a powerful career counselling tool allowing students to explore themselves and the outside world. Under the direct guidance and instruction of Ms. Keo Sok, students began utilizing this technology to conduct personality tests, search for suitable skills, and access specific information about educational institutions.

 

The results were clear and astonishing. Over 80% of students at Phnom Lork Secondary School, who previously had no idea what they wanted to do, transformed into individuals with clear plans. They no longer studied aimlessly; they studied with direction. The program awakened a "burning curiosity" in students to learn, research information sources, and compare various skill options. Furthermore, the Early Warning System (EWS) provided by the project assisted teachers in accurately tracking student attendance and conducting timely home visit interventions.

 

Ms. Keo Sok expressed immense excitement regarding this progress. In her office, filled with documents and a sense of responsibility, she shared a profound perspective that “The introduction of the Trey Visay app by CO-SAVED here is akin to handing a life map to children who were once lost in a sea of uncertainty. Even though I still face the challenge of students being lured away to learn foreign languages for quick income, through this app, I can demonstrate to them that true skills and a complete education are the only paths to sustainable success. Trey Visay has turned my fear into hope, seeing my students hungry to learn, eager to know themselves, and daring to dream bigger. We are not just teaching students literacy; we are teaching them how to determine their own destiny.”

 

Additionally, she succinctly highlighted the significance of the application that “Trey Visay is the sturdy bridge that carries students from confusion to decision-making with confidence and knowledge.”

 

It was not only Ms. Keo Sok who noticed this remarkable growth; the School Principal, Mr. Sok Ty, also acknowledged this success with pride that “I have observed that Ms. Keo Sok’s leadership and counselling capabilities have become far more outstanding after receiving capacity building from the project. She has transformed mobile phones into valuable learning tools for students. Now, almost all students in my school have a light in their hearts; they know how to use the Trey Visay app to chart their life paths, which is a success we never dared to imagine before.”

 

The success at Phnom Lork Secondary School did not happen by chance; it is the fruit of collaborative efforts between the school, the community, and the technical and financial support from the CO-SAVED project, funded by the European Union. Providing scholarships to poor students, improving infrastructure, and building teacher capacity created an environment that allowed the Trey Visay application to operate smoothly. Although challenges remain, a strong foundation of awareness and future planning has been built, ensuring that the children of fisherfolk in this region will have equal opportunities to seize their dreams.