Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association

Ngay Nai

Tuol Tor Teung secondary school in Preah Sihanouk province was one of thousands of schools closed to in-person during much of the past 18 months, Photo taken in April 2020. Soeur Bonsom

Dropout rate among students is increasing during the COVID-19 crisis

With in-person school closed and her family facing worsening financial difficulties, Sopey decided to drop out of ninth grade in Preah Sihanouk province last year to become a garment worker in order to support her family. Speaking in a miserable voice, Sopey — now 17 — said in an interview that she badly wishes she could return to school.