Building Practical Life Skills of Students in Secondary Education Sector in Kampong Speu and Kampong Chhnang Provinces, Cambodia

PROJECT INFORMATION

Project implementer: Diaconia CCE – Centre of relief and development

Donor: Czech Development Cooperation

Implementation period: 2024–2026

BASELINE STATE

Cambodia, with a population of approximately 16.7 million, has made significant progress in access to education over the past two decades. However, despite increasing funding, public education remains severely underfunded, affecting the quality of teaching, access to education, and the readiness of the young population for the labor market. The situation is particularly challenging in rural areas, where schools often rely on minimal annual budgets. The technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector is crucial for Cambodia's future economic development. Although the government aims to integrate TVET and promote practical skills in secondary education, limited funding and uneven resource distribution prevent the sector from reaching its full potential. The project focuses on integrating theoretical and practical training in agriculture, aquaculture, and information technology at selected secondary schools.

PROJECT AIM AND DEVELOPMENT ASPECTS

The main goal of this project is to facilitate extracurricular technical and vocational education in the provinces of Kampong Speu and Kampong Chhnang to enhance the earning potential of graduates after completing secondary school. The developmental aim of the project is to support rural development in Cambodia by improving the quality of life and resilience of rural communities through strengthening educational and practical skills for sustainable livelihoods.

ROLE OF HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS S.R.O. IN THE PROJECT

In 2024, the HS team focused on theoretical and practical training of local teachers on fruit and meat drying. The training emphasized hygienic conditions for processing beef and fish products and available local fruits (banana, pineapple, mango and papaya), with all theory then practically tested by the participants themselves. The HS team, together with the participants, always evaluated the results of the previous drying process and provided continuous feedback to ensure that the best results were achieved and that the participants could pass on the lessons learned. All recipes for dried products were provided to the participants for future follow-up training.

The training also covered the operation and maintenance of the solar dryers and also included the use of organic residues from fruit processing by composting, including vermicomposting.

Finally, participants were trained in packaging these products and learned the basics of marketing and sales opportunities in Cambodia and worldwide. Of course, a tasting of all the resulting dried products was also included.