Two recently installed signboards are attracting attention in Phoum Stung community. The signboards are part of the 2009 Phoum Stung Primary School development plan, which aims to increase the value that parents put on education.

In a series of eight images, the boards tell the story of two children – a girl and a boy – from a poor family who are not enrolled in school. In a village meeting, the children's parents are encouraged to register their son and daughter for school. The students progress through grade 12 and find employment, improving the standard of living for themselves and their family. (http://www.schools4cambodia.org/blogs/news/archive/2009/06/10/phoum-stung-school-support-committee-designs-signboard-to-promote-education-awareness.aspx)

After overseeing installation of the signboards early this week, the Phoum Stung School Support Committee held an assembly with students on Thursday, using the boards to promote the importance of education. The Assistant School Director explained the images to students. Subsequently, a prominent member of the community, and the students' life skills class teacher, discussed the importance of protecting the signboards. The Assistant Village Chief closed the assembly, urging students to return to class at the start of the next academic year, in October.

The signboards will also be used to promote education awareness to parents and other community members. A village meeting is tentatively planned in September, just before the start of school registration.

The signboards complement other 2009 initiatives by the Phoum Stung School Support Committee – including school-community meetings and a life skills class – designed to increase the value that parents and students place on education. There are signs that their efforts are paying off. In fact, in the 2008-09 academic year, only 2 students, of 494, (0.4%) dropped-out of school!

The Phoum Stung Assistant Village Chief explains each image to students:

The Life Skills Community Volunteer Teacher talks about the importance of protecting the signboards:

The Assistant Village Chief urges children to return to school in October: