Daniela Papi's Blog

PEPY is working to implement a literacy program the PEPY schools, with the intent to create a replicable model for change.

Why would we fund literacy training in schools, where literacy should be a priority anyway? In very rural areas here in Cambodia, the average child is in school for 1.5 years. That is, nearly half of the students never enter school at all, and among those who do, most drop out after grade3. When we tested some of our 3rd grade, well over half were unable to read/write. So, if a child enters school at all, she is probably only going to make it to third grade, but chances are she will never be taught to read by then anyway because a) she will be in a class of 3rd year students of mixed ages and no classes will be taught to her level b) her teacher would be lucky if she finished 9th grade, and probably has no, or very limited, teacher training c) her classes will be too large and no one will take notice that she, and half of her peers, could not understand the route read/write/repeat lessons. It is amazing to watch how some kids become good mimes. They can copy anything written in front of them, but they can not write or read a word if asked because they were never taught to do so. They only repeat images of letters they do not understand.

PEPY's proposed program will fund a library in the school as well as a librarian/literacy expert who will have work full time at school. Students will be pulled out for a minimum of 2 hours each per week (based on reading levels) where they will be able to learn to read in an environment where they are a) in a group of other students of the same level for the first time and b) in a smaller setting than normal Cambodian classrooms and have a chance to have one-on-one face time with the teachers. Ideally, there would be two teachers for each library as they would also teach evening and weekend classes for adults and students who are working in the fields and can only attend school at night.

If you want to learn more, contact us at teamleader@pepyride.org

Labels: pepy pepyride phnom penh cambodia siem reap voluntourism volunteer