In Cambodia, any preschool found better than none

April 17, 2012
Source: Society for Research in Child Development

We know that children who attend formal preschool programs in industrialized nations benefit in many ways. But what about the impact of similar programs in developing countries? A new longitudinal study carried out in Cambodia has found that some types of preschool are better than others, but any type is better than none at all.

The study was done by researchers at the University of Hong Kong, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Beijing Normal University, Cornell University, and California Polytechnic State University. It is published in the journal Child Development.

"Given current interest in developing preschool programs globally, evaluation research that considers the costs and benefits of such programs in developing countries is timely," according to Nirmala Rao, professor in the faculty of education at the University of Hong Kong, who led the study. The research is one of the first to compare types of preschools in a low-income Asian country.

374 Schools in Cambodia Remain Closed due to Flooding

2011-11-10
Xinhua

As many as 374 schools in Cambodia remain closed, leaving more than 40,000 students mostly in primary schools unable to attend classes due to flooding, a government official said Wednesday.

Chan Sophea, director of primary school department of Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports said more than 40,000 students from 374 schools have yet returned to their classes as flooding has not receded fully.

According to Chan Sophea, roughly 1,400 schools in 13 provinces across the nation were inundated by flooding that began since August this year.

Saorim goes to school

Saorim has difficulties walking as a result of polio. The Cambodia Trust supports her by providing leg braces and the materials she needs for school. 98% of disabled children in developing countries don't go to school because of extreme poverty, lack of transport, inaccessible classrooms or discrimination.