Dear Editor,

I agree with Dr Sam Sideth's letter, "Education over poverty" (Post, June

9). The Cambodian Government must set education as the priority.

Cambodian children deserve to be well educated if we want to compete in the age of

technology. Furthermore, the Cambodian educational system must be reorganized and

restructured to give students more opportunity to learn and succeed.

We can no longer use the old system of educating people based solely on memory. We

must engage children in the learning process. Children should be the center of learning

with the teacher acting as a coach. Together we can provide a suitable learning evironment

where students feel confident about themselves and school.

Having been educated in Cambodia through high school and earning a bachelor's and

master's degree from American universities, I can see a big gap between the educational

systems of the two countries.

I understand that Cambodia is a poor and developing country, but do not use that

as an excuse! If the Cambodian leaders want to educate our people, they will try

everything they possibly can to make it happen.

Do not be afraid that well-educated people are difficult to manipulate or control.

On the contrary, with education, it is easier to talk and understand each other.

Cambodia needs well-educated people to help rebuild this poor and war-torn nation.

Teachers also need to be well trained and they deserve a reasonable salary so they

can support themselves and their families.

I hope someone will read and think about what we need to do to educate our children.

They are tomorrow's leaders. We need them to lead our country in the 21st century

so that Cambodia will be raised to a state more comparable with other nations.

- David Chanpannha

MA, Mathematics/ESL Instructor, San Leandro High School, California, USA