Photo by: Thomas Fearon

What does it offer?

The college's two-year curriculum gives students a firm grounding in teacher know-how including methodology and classroom management to go with regular studies in Khmer language and history, social studies, English, mathematics and information technology.

Students put teaching skills into practice in a hands-on environment, gaining valuable experience at schools in Siem Reap and surrounds during a practical teaching period of six weeks during the first year and eight weeks during the second. PTTC shares its campus with an elementary school where student teachers hone their classroom manner in lessons they plan and teach.

In charge

Director Leav Ora has been at the helm of PTTC for a decade. A former primary and high school teacher with 30 years' experience, Leav Ora said the improvement of the school's learning environment was one of the highlights of his tenure.

"We've seen some of the biggest changes at the school in the past five years," he said. "The number of students [enrolling at PTTC] has been increasing, but more importantly so has the quality. We're constantly working to improve the quality of teaching and learning; that's our goal."

Getting in

Budding teachers wishing to attend the college must have completed at least nine years' schooling. Students are graded and placed in classes according to their academic aptitude. Those who have completed 12 years' schooling can expect to be placed within their year's top two classes.

This year the college included two extra classes to accommodate a growth of nearly 20 percent in its first-year student enrolment. The college offers free on-campus, dormitory-style accommodation for students whose homes are far away.

Fees, scholarships and grants

All students have their tuition costs paid for by government scholarship so all students have to pay for is their college uniform, books and stationery. PTTC has a cultural exchange program with Sisaket Rajabhat University in Thailand with plans recently approved for a student exchange program to teach English at a primary school in Belgium.

Strength to strength

Siem Reap has cemented its mantle as home wto one of the country's top teacher training colleges among the 18 across the Kingdom. Recruitment of teachers at PTTC has been bolstered to meet the growing number of students enrolling each year. This year 49 teachers pass on their craft to the college's 528 students.

Each day campus life teems with extracurricular activities such as yoga, music, art, dancing and sport including basketball, volleyball and soccer.

Campus watch

Work is under way on a new classroom wing on the western side of the campus. The new building, expected to be completed by 2010, will include computer laboratories and an enclosed student auditorium. A new soccer field is nearing completion and at the start of this month the college unveiled a new Buddhist shrine in the main courtyard.

 

From the halls of the Human Resouces University

Sarun Key, 22, Verin district, Siem Reap:

"Teaching is a way to help many people. Moreover, PTTC is a great place to learn English because students can practise every day with native-speaking volunteers who teach at the college. In the future, teaching will become a much sought-after profession. It's an increasingly valued job, and the need for teachers is especially great in rural areas. I want to help improve education in Cambodia. One day, I hope to establish a nongovernmental organisation that aims to strengthen ties between schools and communities."

Hol Holsambo, 21, Wat Bo District, Siem Reap:

"I knew the college had an excellent reputation for training teachers. Also, the chance to go and teach at the elementary school each week is a valuable learning experience. Education is becoming more important. By training more teachers, more young children in rural areas will benefit by having the opportunity to learn Khmer and English during primary school. Initially, I wanted to teach at a private school, but now my focus is teaching small children, whether in town or in the countryside."

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Contacts

Provincial Teacher Training College

Charles DeGaulle Boulevard

Route to Angkor Wat

Mundul III, Slorkram Commune

Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Tel: 855 (0) 63 760784

Email: [email protected]