PSE remains committed to fight against school dropout
The education as a fundamental pillar of development
Access to education, and even more so to quality education, is a fundamental right for every child. Yet
millions of children all over the world are deprived of it, notably in Cambodia.
Education is an essential tool to ensure a country’s proper development as it helps to increase the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) of a nation. For every euro invested on education, GDP rises by an average of
nearly 20€.
Our number one challenge : fighting dropout
In Cambodia, the school dropout rate remains high, mainly among children from the most disadvantaged
backgrounds. Many are forced to withdraw from school to work and provide for their families. This situation
is made worse by economic, emotional, and social challenges, along with the lasting impact of the pandemic
on the education system and children's mental well-being. More specifically the accumulated backlog in
schooling, above all in khmer and mathematics, makes it hard for them to progress, and adds to the risk of
dropping out.
Innovative solutions to prevent dropout
In response to dropout risks, Pour un Sourire d'Enfant adapts to children's specific needs to ensure that they
stay in school right to the end.
Psychological support: a key to success
The psychology team plays a major role in identifying and supporting children in emotional distress, in order
to prevent and reduce the potential dropout situation.
Every week, 40 to 45 children receive individualized support sessions, combining cognitive-behavioral
therapy and art therapy. This support helps them to overcome past traumas and build resilience, giving them
the tools they need to succeed at school and in life.
Support for students at-risk
Thanks to the close collaboration of multi-disciplinary teams, PSE works with all its services - social team,
medical team, educational team - to detect signs of vulnerability in children and take action as quickly as
possible. Students identified as being at high risk of dropping out are referred to the “Entre Deux” program,
which offers one- or two-week care sessions. The aim is to encourage them to return to school, or to guide
them towards an appropriate pathway, such as a short training course where they will quickly graduate with a
skill that will help them to overcome their situation.
Supporting a seamless transition into the public school system
One of the biggest difficulties for our students, and for our teams, is the transition from our remedial school
to the public school system. Currently, students must choose between vocational training at PSE or
continuing their studies in a public high school. The transition from the PSE Center, with its high standards
and personalized supervision, to public schools with more limited follow-up, represents a major change
which, for many, creates the risk of dropping out.
To solve this problem, in 2025 we will be expanding our remedial education program to include grades 10 to
12. Each year, a new level will be opened, with two classes per level. This initiative will allow our students
to continue their studies at the PSE center, where they will benefit from quality, structured teaching which is
closely monitored. By minimizing the risks linked to the transition to the public system, we will enable our
students to complete their education and pursue a training program leading to a qualification, whether at our
vocational training institute or at university.
The child’s well-being at the core of our mission
PSE's overall approach goes beyond teaching solutions, offering complete educational support with positive
values such as well-being and self-confidence.
PSE places great emphasis on developing self-confidence. Our teachers are trained to encourage each
student, so that they can project themselves into a future rich in opportunities. Phrases like 'We believe in
you!' and 'You are important to the future of our country!' echo in our classrooms, ensuring that every child
knows they have a place in this world.
Since education doesn't happen without the support of families, we are going to step up our efforts to engage
families in their children's educational journey. Through regular training and community events, we are
raising parents' awareness of the importance of sending their children to school, and showing them the
impact that education has not only on their future, but on the whole family.
