Feature Story · Semester 2, 2026
From Provincial Initiative to Nationwide Educational Impact
Expanding opportunities. Empowering teachers. Transforming classrooms. What began in Siem Reap has grown into a nationwide movement for teacher development and English language education across Cambodia.
Our Story So Far
Almost a decade ago, TDSO began as a small initiative in Siem Reap Province, focused on strengthening classroom practice among local English teachers. The need was clear: Cambodia’s public school teachers had limited access to quality, evidence-based professional development. Many were teaching with methods they had learned during their own schooling — rote memorisation and teacher-centred instruction — rather than approaches that actively engage students and build real communication skills.
TDSO was founded on a simple but powerful belief: when you invest in teachers, you invest in every student they will ever teach. With that conviction, a team of Cambodian education professionals began working directly alongside teachers in their own classrooms — coaching, observing, giving feedback, and building their confidence and capability.
The early results in Siem Reap were encouraging. Teachers reported increased confidence. Students became more engaged and participatory. School directors noticed a change in their staff’s energy and approach to teaching. Word spread — and so did TDSO’s reach.
A Significant Milestone
Semester 2 of 2026 marks a turning point for TDSO. For the first time, our training programmes have expanded beyond Siem Reap Province to reach nine additional provinces across Cambodia — from Banteay Meanchey in the north-west to Preah Vihear in the north, and Kampot and Takeo in the south.
This expansion did not happen overnight. It reflects years of relationship-building with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), with provincial and district education offices, and with NGO partners and school communities who share TDSO’s commitment to quality teaching for every Cambodian learner.
Working closely with MoEYS means that TDSO’s approach is aligned with Cambodia’s national education strategy — ensuring that what we deliver in classrooms today can be embedded into the national teacher training system tomorrow.
Provinces Where TDSO is Currently Active
Cumulative reach to date · Semester 2, 2026
Expansion Driven by Purpose
This expansion is not simply about reaching more provinces. It is about ensuring that geography is no longer a barrier to quality professional development. A teacher in Preah Vihear or Kampot deserves the same coaching, support, and practical tools as a teacher in Siem Reap. TDSO’s nationwide expansion is built on four core commitments:
More Teachers Reached
Bridging quality professional development to more teachers in more provinces — ensuring no teacher is left behind simply because of where they live or work.
Stronger Classroom Practice
Equipping teachers with practical, evidence-based strategies — including Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) — so that every English lesson is engaging, purposeful, and student-centred.
Better Learning Outcomes
Supporting students to build confidence in English, improve their communication skills, and achieve their potential — creating the foundation for a brighter future for Cambodia’s learners.
Stronger Partnerships Nationwide
Working hand-in-hand with MoEYS, provincial education authorities, NGOs, school directors, and communities — because lasting change requires alignment at every level of the education system.
How We Work in the Provinces
TDSO’s approach to provincial expansion is not simply about delivering workshops and leaving. Our model is built on sustained engagement — entering a province, building relationships with local education authorities, training teachers in cohorts, and providing follow-up coaching and support throughout the school year. Each provincial programme follows a structured pathway:
Partnership & Planning
TDSO works with MoEYS and provincial education offices to identify schools and teachers, align training content with national curriculum priorities, and agree on a delivery schedule that fits the local context.
Initial Teacher Training
Teachers attend structured training workshops delivered by TDSO’s experienced Cambodian facilitators. Sessions are hands-on, practical, and directly applicable to classroom teaching — covering CLT methodology, lesson planning, and student engagement strategies.
Classroom Coaching & Observation
TDSO coaches visit teachers in their own classrooms, observing lessons and providing constructive, personalised feedback. This direct support ensures that new skills are applied in practice — not just understood in theory.
Peer Learning & Communities of Practice
Teachers are supported to form peer learning groups within their schools and districts — sharing ideas, reflecting on practice, and sustaining their professional development beyond formal training sessions.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
TDSO collects data on teacher participation, classroom observations, and learning outcomes to track progress, report transparently to partners and MoEYS, and continuously improve our programmes.
“Sustainable teacher development isn’t just about training — it requires systemic support, policy alignment, and local ownership.”— Mr Son Nat, Executive Director, TDSO
“Every teacher empowered today is a learner inspired tomorrow.”