BOENG VILLAGE LABORATORY SCHOOL

** A curriculum research and development site **

** a model learning site for current and future teachers **

A self-sustainable community of learning for rural Cambodia

THE CHALLENGE

Boeng Village is a very low income, rural community on the outskirts of Siem Reap.  The  primary source of income is from the cultivation and sale of rice and morning glory, but there are not enough crops to support the whole village, and many families struggle desperately just to keep alive.  Although recently improvements have been made to roads surrounding the area, there are currently no plans for a government school to serve Boeng Village.   Since there is no school within 6 kilometeres of Boeng Village, the village children have no access at all to education. 

THE SOLUTION

Using village craftsmen and foreign volunteers, this school is being built through the use of “sweat equity.” The structures will be modeled after traditional Khmer structures to fit in with the existing village cultural aesthetic. Furthermore, the school is designed to be  “environmentally friendly” through the use of bamboo and other alternative materials, and solar power.

SELF-SUSTAINABILITY

In addition to the use of solar power for all of our energy needs, we will operate a small farm and fishpond to provide  food and income for the school and for the community.  We hope to make this school a model of self-sustainability that can be replicated in other villages throughout rural Cambodia. 

WHO WILL BENEFIT?

Children in Boeng Village will be able to attend free half-day and full-day school, with a full constructivist curriculum including Khmer and English education, for grades 1-8.  Teachers will be trained through the Teach Cambodia program.  Volunteers will assist with classroom instruction and extra curricular activities.  Teacher candidates will partner with the classroom teachers for a full-term paid internship during the final semester of their training. As a curriculum research and development site, the most advanced teaching techniques will be used, and the school will serve as a model learning site for current and future teachers.   Classroom teachers and visiting scholars will collaborate to develop and evaluate new teaching techniques and curriculum to help create a world-class educational system in Cambodia.