The United Kingdom is partnering with World Vision International in Cambodia to help displaced children continue their education after border-related population movements disrupted schooling in several provinces.
“The initiative — supported through the British embassy in Phnom Penh — aims to ensure that children living in temporary accommodation can access safe, inclusive and quality learning opportunities while their communities recover from the impacts of displacement along the Cambodia–Thailand border,” explained a joint press release.
Since early December, temporary school closures and the movement of families have interrupted education for many students, highlighting the urgent need for continued learning support during a period of uncertainty.
World Vision conducted a rapid needs assessment across Preah Vihear, Siem Reap and Banteay Meanchey provinces, identifying critical gaps including the lack of safe learning spaces, teaching materials and consistent instruction for children in temporary shelters.
In response, the organisation — backed by the UK — is establishing child-friendly temporary classrooms and working closely with provincial and district education offices to deploy teachers and deliver curriculum-aligned lessons.
British ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams, who recently visited displacement sites supported by World Vision, said the experience underscored the lasting consequences of conflict on children and their communities.
“Visiting families and children in conflict-affected communities in Banteay Meanchey reminded me that the effects of conflict continue long after the immediate crisis,” he said.
“Seeing the disruption to children’s education firsthand was particularly concerning, as it shapes both their future opportunities and the wellbeing of their communities,” he added.
He noted that the partnership seeks to ensure children in temporary accommodation can continue learning while authorities and humanitarian partners respond to evolving needs.
Janes Imanuel Ginting, national director of World Vision International in Cambodia, stressed that restoring education is essential during displacement.
“Education is often one of the first things children lose when displaced, yet it is also one of the most vital to restore,” he said.
“Thanks to the generous support of the UK embassy, we are helping children in temporary shelters reclaim not just their education, but also their sense of normalcy, safety and dignity,” he added.
The programme targets students in Grades 1 through 6, providing supervised learning environments that help maintain academic routines, support psychosocial wellbeing and reduce the risk of learning loss.
By preserving continuity in education, the initiative is expected to better prepare children to transition back into formal schooling once conditions stabilise.
The collaboration also reflects continued international engagement in addressing the humanitarian and educational consequences of displacement, with a focus on safeguarding children’s development and long-term opportunities despite ongoing challenges.
