SUCCESS & INNOVATION

At 9 a.m., the school bell rings, and students rush to the playground to enjoy their break before floodwaters submerge it from September to February. However, one young student, Chhong Chhenghun, stays in the classroom, diligently studying his textbooks.

 

“I enjoy reviewing lessons and completing homework because it helps me understand the material and excel in exams,” said Chhenghun, a fifth-grade student at Kampong Plouk Primary School in the flood-prone village of Kampong Plouk, Prasat Bakang District, Siem Reap Province.

 

Chhenghun is a dedicated student who studies diligently both at school and at home, making him one of the top students in his class. His success stems from his determination and the support he receives from his teacher during remedial classes.

 

Previously, Chhenghun struggled with language skills, finding it hard to understand his teachers’ explanations. This made him shy and uncomfortable at school.

 

“When he was young, Chhenghun was seriously ill, which delayed his development compared to his peers. Despite my efforts to support his studies at home, the results were poor. I feared he might drop out of school and join his father fishing,” said Mrs. Eoun Dany, Chhenghun’s mother.

 

Mrs. Dany’s worries eased after Chhenghun joined remedial classes from October to November 2022. These classes included engaging activities like spelling, reading, writing, word games, role-playing, and composing poems and songs. At the end of each session, competitions were held, with winners receiving school supplies. Through these activities, Chhenghun overcame his challenges.

 

“Chhenghun’s main difficulty was spelling, which hindered his reading and writing. I started by helping him with spelling and writing challenging words. Once he improved, I encouraged him to read aloud, write, and participate in role-playing to enhance his pronunciation, vocabulary, memory, and confidence. I’m thrilled with his rapid progress,” said Ms. Nout Sreyleak, the remedial class teacher.

 

“I love the remedial classes because my teacher is caring and explains things clearly. I especially enjoy the educational games and competitions because I often win,” Chhenghun added.

 

 

Since the start of the school year, Chhenghun has become an outstanding student. He confidently participates in class activities and often helps his classmates with homework and difficult concepts.

 

“I want to help my friends feel comfortable at school. I’m determined to work hard to stay at the top of my class and become a teacher to support children facing difficulties,” Chhenghun said.

 

Chhong Chhenghun is one of 7,763 students who participated in the remedial program of FOSTER, co-implemented by Action Education (AeA) and KAPE in 2022. The program aims to help students with learning difficulties catch up with their peers, reducing the likelihood of repeating a year or dropping out.

 

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