The Cambodia Rural School Project

The Elaine and Nicholas Negroponte School


Yem Prin Ly, a teacher at The Elaine 
And Nicholas Negroponte School (Feb. 2000)

Yem Prin Ly is a third grade teacher at The Elaine And Nicholas Negroponte School. He is 41 years old with a large family of four sons and five daughters. One of his daughters attends his school. He has been a teacher a the school since 1979. During the Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot from 1975-1979, Yem Prin Ly was one of the few people selected to teach people in Rasmei Commune, where the current school is located. The Khmer Rouge placed extreme restrictions on education during their rule, wanting the people to work in the rice paddies instead of learning in classrooms.

 

In Their Own Words. . . 

comparing teaching during the KR regime to today: "Pol Pot only allowed one hour per day for teaching. The other hours of the day I had to work as a farmer. Sometimes I had to dig canals. Today we teach for a full day, with a method of pedagogy." 

on why he became a teacher: "The local authorities appointed me as a teacher. But, I wanted to help children to give them better knowledge than they had under the Pol Pot regime."

on his favorite subject to teach: "Math is my favorite subject to teach, because it is clear. For example, '1 plus 1 is 2' - it is so simple. Both the teachers and the students recognize this." 

on the new school building:

as a teacher:

 "In this village, it is rare to have a concrete building. My students and I are interested in and proud of the new building. For us, the new school building means a new life."

as a parent:

 ""I am very happy to have my child in the new building." 

on the future of his students:  "I hope the kids will have a bright future and help develop Cambodia." 

message to Elaine and Nicholas Negroponte:  "I would like to thank the donor for building this new school. This school is a great achievement. On behalf of the parents, I promise to protect the school building."

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