SUCCESS & INNOVATION

The Success Story of Ms. Tuy Sina Supported by the Children’s Learning, Access to Support, and Sustainability (CLASS) Project at Preah Theat Primary School.

 

Within the campus of Preah Theat Primary School​ where takes 11.8 kilometers from the Provincial Office of Education, Youth and Sport, locates in Santey village, Pong Ror commune, Rolea Pha’ea distict, Kampong Chhnang Province, the library has transformed into a vibrant hub of knowledge for students. Behind this success and vitality stands Mrs. Tuy Sina, a dedicated and resilient librarian. Having started as a teacher in 2014 and taking on the additional role of librarian in 2016, she faced numerous challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when library activities came to a near standstill. However, 2021 marked a turning point, transforming her from a standard librarian into a true librarian of change.

 

The core of this transformation stems from the collaboration between the school and the Children’s Learning, Access to Support, and Sustainability CLASS Project of KAPE. The project contributed a half of the funding matching with the school’s and community’s funds to upgrade the library infrastructure into a 21st Century Library. Previously, the library was merely a shared room with the administration office, causing noise distractions. Today, it stands as a separate entity, offering a quiet atmosphere, decorated with modern furniture and a rich collection of books.

 

Beyond material support, the CLASS Project provided crucial technical training to Ms. Sina, including:

• Standard Library Management and organizing and leading Student Council.
• Dewey Decimal Classification and Color Coding for reading levels.
• Inventory management and lending system organization.

 

CLASS Project officers also conducted regular visits to provide technical support and consultation, significantly boosting Mrs. Sina's confidence in her role.

 

What is truly admirable is Mrs. Sina’s spirit of ownership. Beyond the formal training, she invested her personal time researching creative ideas for library decoration and scheduling via YouTube. Her family acted as a key pillar of support, purchasing a computer and smartphone to facilitate her research and ensure smooth library operations. Encouragement from the leadership of the Provincial Office of Education, Youth and Sport also fuelled her passion for this profession.

 

Currently, the Preah Theat Primary School library is not just a place for reading, but a center for holistic skill development. Student attendance has surged to 70%, comprising both primary and secondary students. Activities led by Mrs. Sina include storytelling, meditation, drawing, crafts, and weaving, which keep students happily engaged and reduce aimless playing. Students display excellent discipline, lining up properly and maintaining consistent reading habits.

 

"For me, a library is not just a warehouse for books; it is a 'Garden of Wisdom' that nurtures the seeds of children's dreams. I used to feel that this job was new and overwhelming, but the support from the CLASS Project provided me with a light and a clear path forward. When I see the bright eyes of students as they finish one book and immediately ask for another without being forced, it is a tremendous source of energy that makes me forget all my fatigue. Being a librarian is a mission to change children's destinies by shifting their habits from excessive playing to loving reading and independent research," said Mrs. Tuy Sina standing in the library with greatly happy feeling.

 

Mrs. Tuy Sina continued that "In the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technology, machines can provide us with information instantly, but the library is the place that teaches students to 'think, analyse, and reflect.' Physical reading is the indispensable foundation for children to possess the capacity to use technology effectively and ethically in the future."

 

Mrs. Nou Mealea, the Vice School Director of Preah Theat Primary School, noted this positive change that "A quality school cannot exist without a strong library and a capable librarian. Ms. Sina has transformed from being hesitant into a model of perseverance and creativity. The library she manages today is not only a knowledge repository for students but the 'heart' of research for all our teachers. The library's growth under the CLASS Project's assistance is a testament that when we place resources in the right place, combined with human resources who have the will, real change can indeed happen."

 

Mrs. Tuy Sina is not stopping here. She plans to install a Smart TV and LCD Projector to modernize learning within the library, aligning with the needs of students in the new era. Her story serves as a model showing that right technical support, coupled with family and community engagement, can turn a teacher into a magnificent agent of change for the future of Cambodian children.