Annoucement - Smart School Anywhere!

We are excited to announce that the Ministry of Education, Youth & Sport in Bakong District has agreed to partner with PeopleStories to implement our new program Smart School Anywhere (SSA). ​

Read more about SSA

Our founder Victoria shared the idea origination of SSA, “When schools have to close due to Covid-19 back in 2020, we as a team started mapping out steps to ensure learning doesn’t stop for the children in rural Cambodia.”   
 
At a meeting on September 18, 2021, Director Tann Reangsey from the Ministry together with some of our partner school directors made an agreement to partner with PeopleStories to implement SSA in Bakong District.  Director Reangsey shared, “I am very proud of what PeopleStories has achieved in the Bakong District, especially during the COVID-19 period in the past 2 years.  Without the support from PeopleStories since 2017, many students would not be supported or have access to education.”   ​

With sparks in her eyes, Victoria further shared, “Smart School Anywhere Phase 1 will bring digital learning to secondary school children via a Mobile Classroom as early as January 2022.  I am forever grateful for our team of well-qualified professionals donating their time and expertise, we are now developing a series of e-learning units using effective design principles”. 

​The concept of a Mobile Classroom will bring along necessary digital equipment including laptops starting with Rolous and Chea Smonn Secondary Schools in Bakong as early as January 2022. Children will enjoy free digital learning classes of: Technology, Critical Thinking, Mathematics, English and Khmer.  The road map shows our projections of the 3 key phases of Smart School Anywhere. ​

With 1 in 5 children dropping out of school, PeopleStories is committed to enable children with greater access to quality education in rural Cambodia.  With Smart School Anywhere initiative, we aim to help young Cambodians with greater job readiness when they graduate from high school, arm them with the necessary skills for 21st century and transform lives through greater access to quality education. 
 
The key features of Smart School Anywhere are more ICT-trained teachers, greater ICT skills for students and supporting the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports’ strategic goals. The benefits will be greater school enrolments, lower dropouts, greater academic results and better future workforce.  Smart School Anywhere will be a role model for innovation, which we hope to roll out to more schools. ​

Director Reangsey also shared with much excitement, “One thing we (the Ministry) value a lot about working with PeopleStories is our ‘Common Goal’ which is to help our children to gain a better future through education.  I really enjoy our open, honest and understanding relationship.  I have had conversations with Ms Victoria where she repeatedly understand our needs and recognized our difficulties.  She is willing to comprise for a mutually beneficial decision.  This is truly working together and sharing the same dream.”   
 
Something good has come out from the unfortunate school closure.  It has accelerated the digital learning for our students.  In fact, over the last few months, we have shared some success stories of our students thriving in the digital age despite the stumbling blocks. Have a read of these inspiring stories from students SreyMey, Sambath, Pokim and Bunsao. ​

PeopleStories is currently seeking for partners to work together for our new initiative Smart School Anywhere. We are looking for an education institute and a technology company to partner with us in transform education from “Chalk & Talk” to “Flick & Click”. Email us at [email protected] to start your change maker journey with PeopleStories. 
 
Story written by: Volunteers Bok Hoon Ong and Pei Khoek ​