The Cambodia Rural School Project
The Aeon Jackfruit School
(July, 2001)
Mr. Sok Soup is the deputy director of the Aeon Jackfruit School. He has been a teacher since 1983 and deputy director since 1986. He is 51 years old, and is married with five children, all of whom are married and living out of the house.
In Their Own Words. . .
| On the new building: | “I like the new building because it has large rooms with lots of fresh air and it makes my job easier.”
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| On teaching: | “I became a teacher because most of the people in this village are ignorant and I want to help them.”
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| On school subjects: | “I like teaching Khmer and mathematics because they were my favorites when I was young. I find essay writing and descriptions to be difficult when I teach because I don’t think I do a good job explaining them.”
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| On the future of his students: | “I want to help my students to get good jobs. I expect that they will all finish primary school. Some will go on to finish secondary school or even high school, and some will get good jobs or study at the university. The new building will help them to get a good future and improve their lives.”
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| On the Khmer Rouge period: | “I was a farmer during the Khmer Rouge regime. During that time, every one was poor and there were no schools or pagodas, so no one could get an education.” [For much of Khmer history, the wat, or pagoda, in each village took the place of a school. Many Cambodians still send their children to become lay monks in the monastery for a period to give them a religious and traditional education.] |
