On Christmas day, ISF gathered 16 teachers to discuss one of the most important gifts you can give a child… education.  At Tonle Bassac restaurant in Phnom Penh, these participants—which included six female instructors—shared their passion for teaching. All have a working relationship with ISF through various institutions.  They include: Chea Sim High School; Chamroeun Phal High School; Chamroeun Phal Primary. Toul Svay Prey High School and Steung Mean Chey Primary School came as well. Khan Mean Chey’s District Education Youth and Sport also sent representatives. The event’s goal was to build community among Cambodia’s teachers.  During it, we also gathered ideas on how to improve education in the country’s urban poor communities. 

The event’s theme was “Sharing and Celebrating Achievements in 2019“.  ISF’s Operation Manager, Mr. Khay Som Bonin shared opening remarks. He celebrated the opportunity for ISF to strengthen its bonds with local institutions that are also committed to providing education for underserved populations. Following his speech, ISF Community Engagement Manager, Ms. Say Somaly took the floor. She shared ISF’s achievements and challenges over the past year.  Afterwards, she led a discussion on how we can improve in 2020.

Collaborative Problem Solving

Participants later split into three groups to discuss ISF Education Programme. Group one concentrated on sectors and activities that could make a positive impact. The second shared ISF students’ achievements they noticed in 2019. And the last group drafted a corrective action plan to improve education in the new year. After the discussion period ended, groups shared their findings. Each presentation displayed our guests’ deep understanding of their role and how it compliments ISF’s mission. This was heartening, as many participants hold upper level positions in the countries schools.  School Directors, Vice-School Directors, District Chiefs and Chiefs of School Administration were in attendance. 

Setting an Action Plan for a New Year

At the end of this collaborative event, ISF came away with solid ideas for how to improve its services in 2020.  Structures for ongoing knowledge sharing are also being assembled. For example, Samaki High School Director, Mr. Chea Sim, has promised to send monthly grades reports to the ISF Community Engagement team.  

Chea Sim, Samaki School Director, discusses institutional cooperation

These figures can help us identify areas of improvement and successes in our cooperative education activities.   Such important data contributes to realising our new year’s resolution of remaining committed to providing quality education to Cambodia’s marginalised and disadvantaged youth.