The Rabbit School

The Rabbit School was founded in 1997 as a response to a need to provide educational and therapeutic activities for children with intellectual disabilities, who were not receiving any services up to this point. For this group of extremely disadvantaged children, the establishment of the Rabbit School marked the first crucial step in developing appropriate, formal educational programs for Cambodian

children with intellectual disabilities. The school currently provides education to 162 pupils between the ages of 5 to 20 years. The Rabbit School still is the only school that can provide in the educational needs of disabled children, because public schools still lack the knowledge and resources. The major problem for these children is that they often do not have the possibility to receive education, since the Buddhist religion believes that disabilities are a consequence of bad actions conducted in past lives. Consequently, disabled children are discriminated and excluded by their communities. These problems are amplified by the poverty that most families live in, which makes it impossible to pay for education. We want to help these children, because we believe that every child has the right to learn and grow their personalities. The Rabbit School provides a place where disabled children are treated with dignity and where they can learn and grow at their own pace. At a Glance, Total 2800 Out Of School Children, 2055 children non disability and 745 children with intellectual disability (previous students 490 in year 2017) and till in year 2023 new enroll 255) received education primary school in their communities. 1237students received scholarships, 589 students are girl and 213 primary school teachers trained on basic inclusive education and 69 special education teachers were trained on special education for children with intellectual disability during year 2020 to year 2023. 62 teachers are working with children with intellectual with disability in integrated/inclusive classes (32 teachers in Phnom Penh, 10 teachers in Kandal, 10 teachers Kampong Speu, 10 Teachers in Siem Reap). And half of salaries’ teachers supported by Ministry of Education youth and sport of Cambodia government and other half of salaries’ teachers supported by Rabbit school. 5% of total budget of Rabbit school contributed by parents and communities. 100 families of children/youth with intellectual disability received livelihood supporting in communities. Twelve private companies to hire six young adult with intellectual disability. The Rabbit School is working closed to various school education actors like as 213 primary school teachers of 108 School Director, 70 officers of District of Education, 70 people of School Support Committee, 45 officers from Commune Council of Women and Child, 6 officers from District of Social affair and 6 officers from District level, and 4 officers from Provincial of Education and other 12 private companies to hire 6 students with intellectual disability. Visit Rabbit school website: https://www.rabbitschoolcambodia.net/home