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02 Oct 2002 |
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| This morning was the school-year opening ceremony for Udong High and the two primary schools nearby. The schools seem well connected with the community as they had invited various directors and heads of the local education authority, commune, parents committee, temple, police, army, etc. It was good to see among them an old man in his seventies, an ex-teacher, still actively involved in school affairs and obviously highly regarded. The three directors gave speeches on the schools' performance, the funding they each receive and how it's used. One of the primary schools is named after the Queen and so has the support of the King. It has received a total of $7,000 from the King and from the Americans (Cambodians abroad I guess). The other primary school is supported by Prime Minister Hun Sen, whose god-brother is the local monk. Udong High, the poor relation, is not so left out now because they have a computer room! I was asked to make a speech about the project but I opted to show them round the computer room instead. Another issue repeatedly brought up in the speeches was 'Big Brother' - this country has the problem of school bullies too, who are often the children of rich parents who believe they can do whatever they like. | ||||