The 100% Club

There was plenty to celebrate at Cambodian Children’s Fund as every one of CCF’s Grade 12 students passed Cambodia’s National Exam — the second time CCF has achieved a perfect 100% pass rate, following the outstanding results of 2022.

A total of 65 CCF students sat the exam, with five achieving Grade B, compared with a national average pass rate of 84%. The nine Tomorrow Academy students who sat the exam also all passed, marking the third consecutive year that Tomorrow Academy has achieved a 100% pass rate.

Students take examinations in subjects ranging from Khmer and English to Chemistry and History and must pass the exam to gain entry to university.

The results are a remarkable achievement for students living and growing up in one of the most impoverished communities in Cambodia, who have worked hard to overcome challenging circumstances and stay focused on their education.

Among those celebrating was 18-year-old Sokhim, one of just five CCF students to achieve a Grade B. With three A marks and four B marks across the seven subjects that make up the National Exam, Sokhim came close to achieving an A.

Having joined CCF when she was just two years old, Sokhim now has her sights firmly set on the future. She hopes to study Health Science and become a doctor, and is currently on the shortlist for this year’s CCF Trinity College scholarship for a place to study in Melbourne.

For 17-year-old Panha, a student at CCF’s Neeson Cripps Academy high school, passing the exam is the next step towards another goal: becoming a nurse.

“I want to help others and give back,” he says.

His older brother, Vannak, won a scholarship to study engineering in the U.S. and is currently at the University of Oklahoma.

Panha met up with Vannak in the U.S. last year when he attended the Tony Robbins Global Youth Leadership Summit (GYLS) as a CCF ambassador.

The third brother is in Grade 11 with CCF and will take the Grade 12 exam next year.

Panha’s ambition reflects the aspirations of many of this year’s graduates, who are now preparing to take their next steps into higher education and employment.

For 18-year-old Chanthoeun, who joined CCF in 2014, passing the Grade 12 exam means he can begin working towards his ambitions in tourism and sound engineering. He will also undertake an internship at Le Club, a climbing club and cafe in Phnom Penh.

“My family is very happy and congratulated me,” he says.

Heng, 17, who achieved Grade C, is also planning to study Hospitality and Tourism Management. His ambition is to become a pilot.

He knows it will take time.

“It’s step-by-step,” he says. “I want to become a flight attendant to start my journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot and to travel.”

Sisters Monorum, 17, and Malai, 20, both achieved a Grade C in the exam. Malai wants to study Accounting at university, while her sister is interested in Banking and Finance.

The results also reflect the hard work and dedication of CCF’s Education Team, from senior management to teachers and support staff, who support students and encourage them to look beyond the circumstances into which they were born.

“We are very proud of the outstanding 100% pass rate, significantly exceeding the national pass rate of 84.06%,” said Khoem Long Ang, CCF’s secondary School Manager.

Construction of the NCA was a gift from Velcro Companies, a supporter of advancing education for children across the globe, and the school was named after Robert Cripps, former Velcro Companies Chairman, and Scott Neeson, who is also Executive Director of CCF.

Mr Cripps became involved with Cambodia and CCF after seeing a profile on Australian television in 2012 about Scott Neeson.