Mot Pisey, Executive Director of Save Vulnerable Cambodians (SVC), has dedicated his work to improving access to quality education for marginalized groups. As the implementer of the project “Promoting Access to Quality and Inclusive Education for All through Public Advocacy Campaigns for Improving Schools, Students, and Teachers” through Civil Society Support (CSS) Activities of FHI360 funded by USAID, he has collaborated with various education stakeholders including the community, organizations, the Department of Education, District Education Offices, and primary schools to bring meaningful change to communities.
Pisey describes the CSS project as a “well-structured mechanism” that fosters collaboration among sectoral organizations and amplifies advocacy for improved education services. Through the project, he gained a deeper understanding of critical policies, including special education, multilingual education, the SDGs, and advocacy platforms like the ESWG and JTWG mechanisms.
However, the path was not without its challenges. At the initial phase, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays and revisions in project plans, requiring a fresh start with the ESWG and other educational organizations. Despite these obstacles, Pisey’s determination and the collaborative spirit of stakeholders turned these setbacks into learning opportunities.
Today, Pisey reflects on the transformation brought about by the project. He proudly shares how his understanding of advocacy, collaboration, and digital campaign organization has grown. The project facilitated partnerships among civil society, education offices, and schools, resulting in impactful campaigns and tangible improvements in multilingual education.
Key achievements of the project include advocating to the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS) to accelerate the publication of multilingual textbooks, successfully recruiting and training multilingual teachers, organizing multilingual pedagogical classes in Phiek Village (Stung Treng Province), and hosting impactful campaigns such as Teachers’ Day, Enrollment Day and Reading Day to promote educational engagement and inclusivity. Pisey also actively participated in national conferences on educational reform, contributing to the collective advocacy for better education services.
When asked about what’s next, Pisey emphasizes the importance of continued support for the ESWG mechanism through NEP. He believes that sustained collaboration will build on the positive changes already seen in multilingual education, particularly in Ratanakkiri Province.
Pisey’s journey is a testament to how structured support and perseverance can empower individuals and organizations to create lasting change. His story is an inspiring reminder that with the right tools and partnerships, even the most complex challenges in education can be overcome.
