The Libraries Are Essential for Cultivating Children’s Reading Practices
Mr. Men Ath, a 56-year-old librarian at Trapeang Prasat Primary School, noted that
Prior to the support from FH Cambodia, the library lacked essential resources such as desks for students, bookshelves, decorative materials, and qualified personnel to effectively organize and manage the library. This deficiency resulted in reduced student engagement with the library.
With the intervention of FH Cambodia, in partnership with the District Office of Education, the library received significant enhancements. This included refresher training for librarians and school principals, as well as the provision of essential library resources such as student desks, bookshelves, storybooks, and decorative items. These improvements have positively impacted children’s learning outcomes, offering them greater opportunities to engage in reading outside the classroom. From November to December 2024, a total of 805 children (502 females) regularly visited the library and borrowed 600 books. In contrast, school data from 2023 indicated that only 368 children (204 girls) engaged with the library, highlighting a significant increase in access and usage.
The Education Program in TPR3 collaborates closely with the District Office of Education, school directors, and librarians to enhance library resources and strengthen the capacity of school leaders and teachers. This initiative promotes a better understanding of library processes and organizes students by class for free reading activities and designated reading hours in the library, which significantly improves children’s reading skills. Notably, students have developed a consistent reading habit, and the librarian is dedicated to the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of the library.