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DSI's Cambodia Partnership Network
Organization Overview
DSI’s work in Cambodia reflects a deep, long-term partnership approach aimed at strengthening the emerging field of special education and advancing inclusive, appropriate education, especially for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Currently, estimates suggest that only 3% of Cambodian children with IDD attend school.
DSI's Cambodia Partner Organizations:
Ministry of Education, Youth & Sport's National Institute for Special Education & Special Education Department based in Phnom Penh
Disability Development Services Program based in Pursat Province
Rabbit School Organization based in Phnom Penh
Hands of Hope Community based in Kandal Province
Since 2021, DSI has convened and invested in a cohort of 20 Master Trainers - disability and education-sector leaders drawn from four partner organizations - who together have piloted and implemented 3 DSI training modules and reached more than 1,700 teacher trainees (and counting!) nationwide. This collaborative model builds local expertise, ensures contextual relevance, and supports sustainable systems change.
Looking ahead, DSI’s strategic goals include completing 2 additional modules to finalize our core 5-module curriculum set. These efforts are further strengthened by close partnership with Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), which has expressed a desire to integrate this curriculum into its developing special education teacher training program, positioning inclusive education for children with IDD as a foundational component of the national system.
The Action Plan
Our goal: Develop the 4th module of DSI's training curriculum, focused on youth, transition planning and preparation for adult life by Oct 2026 (to begin the rollout in-country by Dec).
3-4 DSI Advisory Working Group volunteers will work (remotely and in-person) to develop the module, working closely with 2-3 Cambodian advisors
Culturally-appropriate graphics will be designed and included
The module will be translated into Khmer
Online and offline-ready formats will be readied
250 hours = the approximate time invested by skilled volunteers to develop a training module
9 resources = the average number of resources in each training module
"All DSI module lessons are very beneficial for teachers, as they provide a strong foundation for supporting children with special needs."
- DSI Master Trainer, Chariya