During the KKS/Kidshelp Careers afternoon on 7th July, Hun Tharith our Student Director, explained to all Grade 12 students, the guidelines for being considered for a Kidshelp Scholarship. A few weeks later, as part of the “online IT training”, Pheaktra Phal, a current second year scholarship student, explained what it was like to be a student in Phnom Penh and what students should expect. As Pheaktra studies at university on weekends and works at KKS reception during the week, students were invited to talk to her on one-to-one basis if they wanted.
It is hoped that before the students have to make final decisions about their studies, we may be able to arrange a bus tour to Phnom Penh to visit the Kidshelp dormitories as well as visiting two or three university campuses, so students understand physical distances and the need for motorcycle transport when arriving at university. All students are required to attend additional lessons at State school every Sunday in the run-up to Grade 12 exams so scheduling a trip before final exams will be difficult.
All students who want to be considered for a scholarship, must confirm to Khemara before end August and must sit an English test at KKS on Sunday, 8th September. There are currently 22 Grade 12 students and for the first time in some years, boys represent 40% of the total.
During September, following the English test, Tharith and or Khemara will visit the families of all students. Students will be asked about their choice of study subjects if their scholarship application is successful, the reason for their choice, long term ambitions and choice of university. Their family may also be asked about their financial situation and their ability to contribute towards study cost.
The State examinations are scheduled for 8th/9th October current plan is for State exam results to be published around 31st October.
Kidshelp members who already have a relationship with either an individual KKS student or family, will be made aware of the students’ application, chosen area of study, preferred university and estimate of costs. They can then indicate if they would be able and wanted to sponsor the student if their scholarship request is successful.
In the first week of November, Khemara will provide a summary of all students who applied for a scholarship. The report will include State and KKS English exam results, details of chosen subject (may include a second choice if university acceptance is subject to a further entrance exam), preferred university, where they would live in Phnom Penh, estimate cost of tuition and accommodation (if applicable), and comments from Tharith and Khemara on family financial situation, siblings who have previously received scholarships and any personal factors to be considered such as school attendance and participation is KKS activities.
Once potential scholarship students are agreed, Kidshelp team will approach existing and past sponsors, friends, neighbours and corporates, to try and secure scholarship sponsors. As the period of study is minimum of 4 years, the commitment will always be substantial but for a sponsor, there is nothing as rewarding as meeting your sponsored student or hearing of their successful completion.
Most universities will confirm the tuition fees for the duration of study for new students and will maintain fee structure for existing students but increase fee for new students. An example a fourth-year marketing student tuition fee at National University of Management is $600pa versus a student joining in January 2025 is likely to be charged $800pa. As part of planning for 2025, our Student Director will be asking universities for details of their planned split between face-to-face and online classes.
A newsletter with details of all students selected to be considered for a Kidshelp scholarship will be published in early November, which will include information on students’ family financial situation, their chosen subject, university and costs. As always students may have one or multiple sponsors. For some students we may simply not be able to secure a scholarship for the year ahead.
Any student failing the State exams will automatically be excluded from consideration as there are no opportunities to appeal results or to redo an exam in the current study period.
Grade 12 students during Careers Afternoon on 7th July 2024 at KKS
