Well here I am back in the Royal Hotel in Battambang. It is, to me, where I started this adventure and is, in my opinion, a very special place.

For the first time I am here for work. I am at a three day workshop about ECE (Early Childhood Education).

Monday - Really interesting as they all said the right things - that is young children should be playing as they learn, they should have practical activities, the environment should allow them to move around etc etc. Sadly they also know that is not what is happening.

The workshop is to revise the curriculum to make it easier for the teachers to follow. For the first time Cambodians are writing the curriculum rather than asking international experts to do it, they have invited 2 reps from each province to look at it over the next two days.

Watch this space!!

Tuesday- Again very interesting they want the opinion of those attending on whether or not they feel this syllables makes it easier for teachers. The curriculum is actually staying the same - which is fine as there is actually not much wrong with it. What is wrong is the lack of understanding by school directors and teachers. The new syllabus spells it out very clearly what you should do every day.

There was an electricity cut at 10 o'clock- the room had no AC but it meant the fans went off - oh boy was it hot!!!!