Displaced Children in Banteay Meanchey Receive Extra Lessons After School Closures

PHNOM PENH, Feb 26, 2026 (KPT) – Children displaced by conflict in north-western Cambodia are receiving additional English and Khmer lessons at a refugee camp in Banteay Meanchey Province, after schools were closed following fighting in December.

At Wat Chan Si Samakki Ratanaram in Kob Commune, Ou Chrov District, the NGO Y-Farm has been providing daily classes to support students whose education was interrupted.

The children fled with their families from Prey Chan and Chokchey villages when violence broke out, forcing schools to shut down for safety reasons.

Volunteer teacher Louis, known locally as “Uncle Barang,” said the programme aimed to prevent children from falling behind. “We want to help educate the children and young people so they can gain knowledge,” he said.

Louis, a foreign national who speaks Khmer, said lessons are held Monday to Friday in both English and Khmer, stressing that continuing education in the camp was essential to protect the children’s long-term prospects.

Local authorities said more than 1,300 students are currently staying in two temporary safety centres in Banteay Meanchey Province – over 600 at Wat Chan Si in Ou Chrov District and around 700 at Wat Kandal in Thma Puok District.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has also established temporary schools inside the camps to allow displaced children to continue their studies.