The World Mate School Number Seven

The Cambodia Rural School Project

The World Mate School Number Seven

(November, 2000)

Mr. Zay In is the director of the World Mate School Number Seven. He was born and raised in this village, and is now married with three children, two of whom study at the school. He graduated from the teaching school in the provincial capital and then was sent to work at this school.

On the changes in the school:	“This school year, about 30 new girls started studying at the school. Before, no families sent their children to study here.”
On the difficulties of teaching at the school:	“There are two main difficulties: language and school materials. When I teach Khmer, I must explain in the Tompuon language [the mother tongue of the villagers], so that they understand. Also, most of the students, especially first grade students, come to school empty-handed, without the personal chalk board, chalk, notebook and pencils that they need for class.”
On school subjects:	“In class, I focus mainly on teaching Khmer. These students must learn Khmer before they can study at a higher level.” [After elementary school, the local schools all teach in Khmer, not in any minority languages.]