TRANSFORMING EARLY GRADE LITERACY ACROSS CAMBODIA

World Vision International in Cambodia’s education programme is a nationwide initiative addressing critical learning loss following the COVID-19 pandemic, when national assessments showed that fewer than half of Grade 6 students achieved basic proficiency in Khmer and mathematics. In close partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the programme currently supports 669 primary schools across 10 provinces, with a clear goal: to ensure children are equipped with essential literacy skills for life.

Through a comprehensive and evidence-based approach, the programme strengthens early grade teaching, expands children’s access to reading through community engagement and reading camps, improves school learning environments, and reinforces education systems at national and sub-national levels. By 2025, it has reached over 164,000 children, enhanced teacher capacity, improved school infrastructure, and expanded access to education for the most vulnerable. With continued donor support, the programme is well-positioned to deepen its impact—strengthening school governance, promoting inclusive education, and ensuring that every child, especially the most marginalized, has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and contribute to Cambodia’s future.