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Mr. Puthy HOUT is one of DSI’s Cambodian Master Trainers and currently serves as Vice Director at Hands of Hope Community, one of DSI’s partner organizations. He has been working in the disability sector for almost two decades. His steadfast dedication and leadership to the field has helped advance human rights, bring greater awareness, and guide the growth of many Cambodian students and teachers.
We asked Puthy a few questions to learn more about his journey and dedication to this mission work:
Why do you do this important disability work?
I am involved in working with people with disabilities because I see that they are very discriminated against by society and do not have the opportunity to express their ideas, do not have full rights in society, and do not receive public services like people without disabilities.
Seeing all of this, I want to help children with disabilities access education and other social services the same as other children. Furthermore, because special education services in Cambodia are still limited, I want to transfer my knowledge to other teachers to help more children with special needs.
What is improving or changing for the better already?
As a Master Trainer, I have been assisting teachers in observing and supporting their students’ understanding levels. I help teachers develop plans for intervention and behavioral problem-solving and to create individual and group support plans. I also do more research on how to respond to the needs of teachers.
The teachers have been improving too. They know the level of understanding of their students and understand the level of support needed for each student.
Teachers can identify students' strengths, weaknesses, and behavioral situations. Teachers have learned to observe a student well and how to plan to help each student through strategies to prevent behavior problems.
In the classroom, the students are also improving. Behavioral problems are reduced, and many students have learned simple communication techniques and are more responsive, smiling and looking at the voice when others call their name.
They appear happier and show interest in what they want. They enjoy playing with other students and sit and study longer.
What is one continuing need now for teachers and children with disabilities in your community?
There are still many needs. Master Trainers need refresher training every three months on related skills and additional technical support, materials, and tools to become a professional trainer. Exchange visits to learn from peers are also helpful.
The continued needs of teachers are more support and awareness. We need to raise awareness to reduce discrimination against children with disabilities and support parents and the community in understanding the importance of their children’s education and abilities.
Teachers need the support of new materials and more training to upgrade their skills and techniques. We need a good collaboration with teachers, parents, and related organizations to achieve a common goal. Students need study materials and more teachers so they have individual attention. Schools need to expand to meet these needs, especially in other provinces. Students also need their parents to understand how to help them at home.
What do you hope for the future of all children with disabilities in Cambodia?
For the future, I hope all children with disabilities get a good education from teachers who have the skills to educate them.
I hope that children with disabilities receive equitable and timely support services. There should be enough schools and resources (such as teachers, materials, and equipment) for all students with disabilities countrywide to access education the same as students without disabilities.
Is there anything else you want people to know about teacher training and inclusive education in Cambodia?
We’ll continue to engage community support through awareness-raising on inclusive education. We need to increase understanding of basic assessment for students with special needs, support the schools to accept students with disabilities so they can attend schools, and provide additional training to teachers.
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