Battambang, KH – The Benefits of Private School in Battambang – 5 Oct 2015

In the last three years, Children’s Future has seen drastic increases in motivation and social development of those students who transferred to Dewey International University (DIU). The quality of education in private schools such as DIU is far superior to that of public schools. Rather than focusing on one DIU student’s story, this report will discuss some of the overarching differences between DIU and the local public schools.

Scheduling and Time Usage

The main difference between the public schools in the region and DIU is that at DIU, class time is used more efficiently. In public schools, teachers often do not show up for class, which puts students behind in their studies. They also use class time very inefficiently and require students to pay them for extra classes before and after school. Children’s Future’s public school students reported having to leave early in the morning, never having time to go home for lunch with their families, and leaving school late. Children’s Future grade 10 to 12 students who attend public school don’t have enough time to come to the Learning Center regularly because of this problem. DIU actively seeks out the best teachers in Battambang, which means that students get attentive and effective instruction within the scheduled school hours. These teachers also act as role models for Children’s Future students and set a good example of strong community leaders. Efficient teachers eliminate the need for extra early morning and after-school classes and ensures more time for students to access Children’s Future resources, including its supplementary education classes..

Attendance

According to Children’s Future’s Education Advocate, Sreyrath, when students are absent from class at DIU, it is common practice for the teachers to alert Sreyrath. Doing so allows Sreyrath to immediately take action with the student to figure out why they were absent and how to address the problem that inhibited their attendance. This is especially important with Children’s Future students. If students are missing classes, it is likely the result of a personal or family problem such as needing to stay home to care for a sibling. If Sreyrath can determine the root of the problem that causes students to miss school, then she and the Children’s Future Social Work team can find long-term solutions to these deeper issues. Among students who study at DIU, attendance is regularly above 80%. By contrast, in the public schools, Sreyrath needs to reach out to talk to the school principals to check on the student’s’ school attendance. This makes communication and problem solving significantly more difficult for Sreyrath and students who attend public school, and often results in lower attendance rates.

Communication and Problem Solving

Another notable difference between DIU and the public schools is the level of open communication and problem solving both between Children’s Future and school staff as well as within the school. As mentioned previously, problem solving at public schools is hindered by poor communication between the schools and Children’s Future. At DIU, however, communication and problem solving are strong. Children’s Future’s students attending DIU face a number of struggles in school, including isolation from other students due to their socioeconomic level, lack of confidence, and underrepresentation of students of their socioeconomic status level in classrooms. To mitigate these struggles and ensure student success, Children’s Future maintains strong communication with teachers and the DIU School Director. DIU teachers are communicative and approachable when there is a problem, which builds confidence between Children’s Future and DIU as well as between students and their teachers. In the last year, Children’s Future students have become much more confident and empowered to approach teachers if they have a question or a problem, which means students develop healthy social skills and enhance their education.