The Teacher Development and Support Organisation (TDSO) operates in the Siem Reap province in Cambodia, to provide high quality professional development opportunities for teachers, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to drive transformational change in Cambodia’s educational landscape. Through a variety of training programs, TDSO has trained over 500 English teachers and manages the active TDSO alumni community to ensure all past and present course participants stay connected and on a lifelong learning path. The impact of teacher development goes beyond the classroom, creating a ripple effect that extends throughout society. As teachers improve their skills and enrich their pedagogical practices, they transform the lives of countless students, addressing both the general education crisis and the specific challenges of teaching English.

In the heart of Siem Reap, amidst the vibrant streets and joyful children, lies a hidden crisis that perpetuates the cycle of poverty: a critical lack of quality education. Cambodia faces a staggering educational deficit, with over 50% of children dropping out of school before age 12. The main reason for this situation is the continuous lack of teachers and trained teachers. In Siem Reap province, more than half of the primary school teachers have no lower secondary school degree. In 2017 TDSO started training teachers in informal schools, but as demand grew, it quickly evolved to a comprehensive program for teachers in these informal schools, with programs for early-career teachers, programs for more advanced teachers, an English for Teachers program (English Language Proficiency).

The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) strongly believes in education as one of the main factors of change and self-development, especially for young people who live in extreme situations of poverty. Since its inception in 2000, the NaEPF has granted numerous projects worldwide to ensure this basic human right, and in 2023 it supported TDSO activities in Cambodia. The granted project involved the training of 64 primary school teachers in language proficiency, basic IT-skills and basic pedagogical skills. In addition to developing an in-depth understanding of key terms or concepts underlying language teaching and learning, the target primary school teachers developed generic skills such as communication, analysis and inquiry, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and digital literacy.

English in Cambodia is not just about language skills; it is also a driver of growth, development, and global engagement. The project stands out for its transformative potential to invest in English education and, in doing so, contribute to Cambodia’s journey towards a brighter and more connected future.