Cambodia is experiencing what the World Bank calls ‘a learning crisis’. The vast majority of educators and university graduates were killed during the Khmer Rouge regime. This is something the country is still recovering from, with less than 3% of Cambodian children reaching minimum learning standards in numeracy and literacy. On average, a Cambodian child will spend just 4.7 years in school.
SeeBeyondBorders works to empower teachers and school leaders to drive the improvement of teaching and learning in Cambodian schools. We tackle the root causes of extreme learning poverty by upskilling teachers and leaders. Our programmes are evidence based and create lasting and measurable change.
At SeeBeyondBorders, we truly believe that ‘change begins with education’. A focus on quality education and learning, as well as keeping children in school for as long as possible, creates brighter opportunities, and futures, developing society and breaking the cycle of poverty for generations to come. Through over 15 years of work on the ground in Cambodia, our evidence-driven work demonstrates the value of a ‘top-down approach’ and focuses on teachers. When teachers and school leaders are competent, confident and provided with sufficient resources, this has a lasting impact on student learning.
Working in partnership with the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to create systemic change within the public school system, our colleagues bring UNESCO award-winning programmes to classrooms in rural Cambodia. Programmes unlock the skills within each teacher, adopt a school-based mentoring approach and leads to more effective teaching and an improvement in children’s learning outcomes. Research is continuously undertaken to ensure the effectiveness of our programmes.
Our focus remains on quality over quantity. Through our process of collaborative engagement within the public school system we can continue to show the Government the benefits of investing in quality learning for children and professional development for teachers alike with an ambition of full adoption into the school system in the future. With your support, we can bring about Cambodian-led systemic change and give Cambodian children the quality education they need and the future that they deserve.
In Ireland, we build partnerships between Cambodia and Ireland to:
SeeBeyondBorders Ireland is a registered Irish charity established in the year 2000 by Irish education and development specialists passionate about supporting education transformation in Cambodia. In 2024, we were proud to win a Charmichael Good Governance Award. We are members of Dóchas and partner with the Irish National Teacher’s Organisation (INTO).
SeeBeyondBorders promotes the advancement of education of children who are in conditions of poverty, need, hardship or distress in Cambodia, through evidence-based education programmes, research and policy input.
Registered Office: SeeBeyondBorders Ireland, 31 Woodlands, Carrickhills, Portmarnock, D13 YN34
Email: ireland@seebeyondborders.ie
Phone: + 353 (86) 375 6554
SeeBeyondBorders Ireland Company Limited by Guarantee (SBB Ireland) was established in 2020.
Charity Number: 20206034
CRO Number: 666381
© SeeBeyondBorders Ireland 2025
