"My friends are aware of what school safety means and are prepared for potential disasters," explained Sokha O, a 12-year-old student leader at a primary school in Siem Reap province. 

 

Sokha O explained that his school faced numerous safety challenges before implementing the safe school program. These included a lack of warning signs, the absence of basic safety features such as a school garden, missing traffic signs at the school entrance, unfenced water areas, and an unclean environment that contributed to outbreaks of dengue fever. He added that the school lacked a disaster management committee, a disaster mitigation and response plan, and a children's council focused on safety and disaster preparedness. Evacuation maps, instructions, guidance on school safety, and necessary safety equipment were also missing. "Like other students, I didn't know what to do during a disaster or who to contact," Sokha O recalled. "I also didn't understand climate change adaptation or the roles and responsibilities of the student council and children's rights.”

 

Sokha O explained that, despite being selected for the student council 2023 focused on school safety and the environment, he struggled to lead. He lacked confidence and was hesitant to communicate with his team, compounded by a lack of motivation and encouragement from adults.

Since 2022, with financial support from the Prudence Foundation through Prudential Cambodia, Plan International Cambodia and its partner Child Rights Foundation Organization have been implementing the Promoting Safe School Initiative project in Sokha O's primary school and 17 other primary schools in Siem Reap Province. The project aims to enhance understanding of climate change, disaster risk management, safe school practices, and child protection among students, teachers, student councils, and school management committees. It also supports infrastructure improvements, including school fences, gardens, new school gates, safety slogans and warning signs, and a new library for school safety. Traffic signs have been installed to prevent accidents, and schools conduct regular rubbish collection and promote healthy habits such as handwashing, drinking clean water, and eating nutritious food.

 

Sokha O and other students participated in training and activities covering school safety concepts, simulation exercises, first aid, climate change adaptation, and the roles and responsibilities of the children's council. This support and guidance helped him develop confidence in communication, teamwork, and participation in school and community events. He participated in developing safe school practices, creating evacuation and disaster maps, and conducting drills to prepare for potential disasters like floods and storms. "My school is now clean, and we've learned about climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction," Sokha O said. "My schoolmates and I are equipped with the knowledge and have adapted to climate change in our community. “This dry season, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, the school stocked water supplies and advised students on health precautions during the day, allowing us to continue our studies,” he added.

The school principal described Sokha O as a good student, noting his intelligence and consistent attendance at school activities. The principal further stated that Sokha O leads the student council in a variety of initiatives, including implementing safe school practices, promoting sanitation and hygiene, maintaining a clean school environment, and cultivating a vegetable garden. Sokha O also serves as a member of the school disaster management team.

Sokha O expressed his satisfaction with his school's dedication to ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. As the leader of the student council, he is committed to expanding his knowledge base, disseminating that knowledge to his peers and other members of the community, and promoting the sustained implementation of the Safe School model within his locality. When queried regarding his future ambitions, he responded with a smile, "I would like to be a teacher and share my knowledge to the next generation."

 

Safe School program reflects our commitment to empowering our communities to create secure and supportive learning environments. By equipping students, teachers, and school leaders with the necessary knowledge and tools, we are fostering a culture of safety and resilience. This initiative not only safeguards the present but also builds a foundation for a brighter, more secure future for all children in our community.

 

 

About Prudential Cambodia  

 

Since its establishment in 2013, Prudential Cambodia has become one of the largest life insurers in the country, providing customizable solutions to over 321,000 customers and approving more than USD 20.9 million in claims as of 30 October 2023. By providing tailored life insurance solutions to individuals and families and conducting insurance seminars for the public, Prudential Cambodia helps Cambodians protect and secure their financial futures.  

 

Prudential Cambodia is an affiliated company of Prudential plc. Prudential plc provides life and health insurance and asset management in 24 markets across Asia and Africa. The business helps people get the most out of life, by making healthcare affordable and accessible and by promoting financial inclusion.

 

About Prudence Foundation

 

Prudence Foundation is the community investment arm of Prudential in Asia and Africa. Its mission is to secure the future of communities by enhancing education, health and safety. The Foundation runs regional programmes as well as local programmes in partnership with NGOs, governments and the private sector in order to maximize the impact of its efforts. Prudence Foundation leverages Prudential’s long-term mindset and geographical scale to make communities safer, more secure and more resilient. The Foundation is a Hong Kong-registered charitable entity.

 

About Plan International Cambodia

 

Plan International Cambodia is a development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We strive for a just world by working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners. With over 85 years of experience across the world, Plan International’s programmes aim to support girls and boys to Learn, Lead, Decide and Thrive. We strategically partner to empower 2.5 million girls, especially adolescent girls and young women in all of their diversity, to have a voice and to support them in gaining the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need in order to realise their rights and reach their full potential.