Sambour Primary School

Sambour Primary School is a vibrant and nurturing learning environment serving children from kindergarten through fifth grade. Nestled in a quiet, rural village twenty miles from the bustling tourist hub of Siem Reap, the school plays a vital role in preparing students not only for continued education but also for the opportunities and challenges of the modern world.

 

At Sambour Primary School, the curriculum is both broad and foundational. Students receive instruction in basic mathematics, science, health, and nutrition, as well as in Khmer language, culture, and English. English is emphasized alongside other core subjects, reflecting the importance of multilingual skills in a region where the tourism industry, centered in nearby Siem Reap, offers one of the most promising paths to employment.

 

The school is guided by a dedicated team. Two administrators, Dana and Sambath, wear many hats: they serve as teachers, cooks, and caretakers. They are joined by a principal, Ath Ip, and two teachers provided by the state. Community involvement is essential to daily life at the school, local women work daily to help prepare Friday meals and assist with the upkeep of the school buildings and garden.

 

Friday lunch is a special tradition at Sambour. A nourishing meal, often fish or chicken curry with rice, is cooked over a wood-fired stove in two large pots. Fresh ingredients, such as morning glories and spring onions from the school’s modest garden, add both flavor and nutrition. Students take part in the process: they sweep classrooms, move desks outside to create washing stations, lay out dining mats, and clean dishes after the meal. These routines help build responsibility, discipline, and a strong sense of community.

 

The school also supports literacy and curiosity with a small library that includes books and puzzles in both Khmer and English. From their earliest days in kindergarten through the end of fifth grade, students are guided by a rigorous yet supportive pedagogy. They are encouraged to work hard, play hard, and grow in confidence.

 

While not every student will go on to middle or high school, each one leaves Sambour Primary School equipped with essential life skills: the ability to read, write, and speak in Khmer and English; competence in basic math and science; and a grounded understanding of health and nutrition. Most importantly, they leave with a self-assurance to take on whatever comes next.