An evaluation of the special needs educational programme for children at M’Lop Tapang in Southwest Cambodia

Flippance, H; Pearce, D; Shoemaker, D; Dom, S; Chhim, S; Rowland, A

Abstract

M’Lop Tapang is a registered non-governmental organisation working in Sihanoukville,
Southwest Cambodia. It provides services to around 5000 vulnerable children and around
2500 families as part of its special needs programme. The key aim of the programme is to
assist with the growth and development of children and young people, being responsive to
their individual needs.
The University of Salford School of Health and society has established and maintained
strong working relationships with M’Lop Tapang for over a decade, which is supported by a
memorandum of understanding (MOU). One objective of the MOU is to occasionally assist
in the evaluation of services provided at M’Lop Tapang. This report records the secondary
data analysis evaluation of M’Lop Tapang’s internal study of its Special Needs Programme.
In November 2023, individual interviews were completed with 50 parents who have
children enrolled in M’Lop Tapang’s Special Needs Programme. The purpose was to gain
perspective of the parents and caregivers about the effectiveness of the programme. Each
of the 50 parents/caregivers interviewed had one child in the programme (35 boys/15
girls). The average age of the child was 9.36 years old (9 years, 4 months and 11 days).
The children included attend the programme for a varying number of days each week. The
series of questions asked of the parents/caregivers focused on common concerns that
most parents/caregivers have previously reported when choosing childcare options.
Overall, 61% of parents/caregivers felt their children were safe; 66% felt they were cared
for by suitably qualified staff; and 80% felt their child was developing independence.
Parents/caregivers reported their child would benefit from more time, bigger classrooms
and more staff

• Book Type: Authored Book
• Online Publication Date: Apr 14, 2025
• Publication Date: Apr 14, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 14, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• ISBN: 978-1-917780-00-1