Not all Cambodian children working on the rubbish dump are in need of remedial studies. And so, wherever possible, PSE prefers to place the children in state schools. It is a good way of reintegrating them into the state education system and avoids any unnecessary substitution by PSE in a government operated field.

PSE provides these children with uniforms, stationary, sandwiches and medical care (notably thanks to the PSE ambulance) and takes on the education costs. And so, over 3,500 children are educated in this manner in seven different state schools.

PSE also finances (in consultation with the Ministry of Education) the building of additional classrooms and toilets in order for such schools to be in a position to welcome more pupils. In the largest of these schools, PSE has built a mobile infirmary.

It has also set up a mobile library for six other schools. PSE’ new challenge is to provide each pupil with a balanced meal each day. This challenge is about to be addressed through a catering project developed in these schools. This is thanks to our second year students studying hotel management.

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The Business and Management School

A big project of ours is the development of our Business and Management School. It will train young students to the Bachelor degree level (BBA). With dynamic and enthusiastic support from the ESSEC group (the most famous French International Business School) (and other partners with whom we are holding discussions), we are currently setting up an education committee which will pilot the definition and implementation of the courses, as well as the teaching method for this type of training.

Three young students from the ESSEC group are currently on work experience in Phnom Penh, as part of their own course, to finalise what assistance and support is needed. A young MBA student from ESSEC has just been recruited and will leave soon for a long duration assignment, in order to help us to develop and to evolve the school.

There is a large requirement for business managers and the school is assured a market for its graduates, thus enlarging the range of opportunities for our children.

JMB-President