ISF is invested in helping students adjust to new ways of learning in an ever-changing world. So we are working with students to familiarise them with useful online communication tools. Since March, all schools in in Cambodia closed to prevent community spread of COVID-19. Since then, our Community Engagement Team has been using streaming apps to provide essential teacher-student interaction. Using Google classroom, Telegram and Facebook Groups, as well as Messenger, allow students to continue studying from the safety of home.

So far our initiative has been a success! 90% of grade 11 and 12 students have become actively engaged in online learning. Students in grades 7-10 have also become involved through introductory workshops and practice Zoom meetings. Community Engagement Officers have been working hard to help students craft distance study plans for structured learning at home. Our officers also conduct regular meetings with students to help them overcome any technical hurdles. Through home visits, video sharing, and phone calls, they aim to help students achieve their goals. This support even extends to students that have relocated to areas outside of Phnom Penh with their families.

To ensure students have suitable equipment to learn online, ISF loans tablet computers to those in need. Subsidies are also available for students who struggle to afford internet service. ISF hopes that these new ways of learning keep students’ engaged in education while allowing them to pick up tech skills that may be useful for future employment.

In addition to our own online training sessions, Community Engagement Team members share useful videos from Cambodia’sMinistry of Education Youth Sport (MoEYS) and other accredited learning sites with our students. We hope to inspire them to seek out other educational videos and embrace the endless learning opportunities that can be found online. Srey Dy, a participant in Grade 12, shared her enthusiasm about the project. She said “I’m happy to gain knowledge about the benefits of learning online and how to use applications like Zoom. ISF’s Community Engagement Officers have been warm and motivating.”