New Kindergarten Opens in Remote Siem Reap Village, Boosting Early Literacy

Siem Reap, Cambodia – A new community kindergarten, the Kok Thom Santepheap Community Kindergarten, was officially inaugurated on September 6, 2026, in Kok Thom Santepheap village, Kralanh district, Siem Reap province. The facility aims to provide early childhood education to children in remote areas who previously had limited access to schooling. During the inauguration ceremony, His Excellency Dr. Sieng Nam, a Member of Parliament representing Siem Reap province, emphasized that the establishment of community kindergartens enables children in rural areas to receive early childhood education without the need for long-distance travel. He highlighted the crucial role of community kindergartens in nurturing children's foundational spirit, thoughts, and knowledge before they enter primary education. Dr. Sieng Nam expressed his expectation that the new kindergarten will serve as a hub for imparting knowledge to children in the area and fostering learning habits within the community through quality education from teachers. He urged parents to prioritize sending their children to kindergarten and to collaborate closely with educational authorities and teachers to ensure children have opportunities for higher education. "Today's children are the pillars of tomorrow and the bright future of our nation," he stated, underscoring the significance of early education. The construction of the kindergarten was made possible by a land donation from local villagers, Mr. Huok Ket and Mrs. San Yang, who contributed a plot measuring 20 meters by 30 meters (600 square meters). Further support came from His Excellency Dr. Khut Voryarith, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and head of the government working group for Kralanh district and the working group supporting Kroch Kor commune. The project included a classroom building, two toilet rooms, a school gate, fencing, a well, electricity connection, student desks and chairs, internal concrete paving, and gravel for the access road, with a total expenditure of $14,480. According to Mr. Sok Nareth, Governor of Kralanh district, the community kindergarten was initiated based on the requests and actual needs of the residents, particularly those in Kok Thom and Reul villages. Existing public kindergartens were located far away, making it difficult for some families to send their children. Local residents had previously petitioned the commune authorities to help establish a community kindergarten within their locality. Governor Sok Nareth further explained that as the kindergarten operation continued and enrollment increased, and given that the previous temporary location was unsuitable for long-term education, residents and commune authorities requested a permanent site for the facility. On behalf of the residents of Kroch Kor commune, Mr. Sok Nareth expressed his admiration and gratitude to Dr. Khut Voryarith and the support team for their active contribution to building this community kindergarten, which serves as the fundamental early learning foundation for young children.