The Cambodia Rural School Project
The Chroy Banteay Nippon
Foundation School
(October, 2001)
Phath Sophal is a 12-year-old third grade student at the Chroy Banteay Nippon Foundation School. He was ranked sixth among the 43 students in his second grade class last year. He is the oldest of five children. His two sisters are in third grade and one of his brothers is in first grade. The youngest brother is not in school yet. His parents fish and have a small shop.
In Their Own Words. . .
| On the new building: | “I like the new building because it is nice, new and clean.”
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| On school subjects: | “I like learning Khmer because it is easy. I don’t like learning applied science because it is difficult to read.”
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| On his chores: | “I cook and clean and take care of the cows because I am the eldest in the family.”
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| On his future: | “I want to graduate from secondary school so that I can be a teacher. My parents want me to as well. My father left school after fifth grade because his mother passed away and my mother left after third grade to work.” |
