PHNOM PENH: Berkeley International School by ELT has opened its new school year with the introduction of the Cambridge curriculum from the United Kingdom. The new program will make studying abroad for graduates easier and more accessible, in addition to providing them with a highly-accredited education.

Scores of students arrived at Berkeley’s Daun Penh campus on the morning of August 7 to kick off the new school year. Students eagerly searched the white board postings to direct them to their new classrooms where they met their new teachers.

Daun Penh Campus Director Robin Hamilton confirmed that Berkeley is a Cambodian school certified by Cambridge Assessment International, a globally accredited curriculum which makes Berkeley diplomas universally recognized.

He said, “The IGCSE, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, is the world's number one international school qualification and most students will around the world take between six and eight of these. Five is enough to get into university and our students will be taking IGCSE in English, maths, combined science, global perspectives which is a kind of social studies program, ICT Chinese and business studies.”

The Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the prestigious University of Cambridge and is a curriculum that helps students develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. The curriculum is recognised by the world’s best universities and employers, giving students a wide range of options in their education and career.

Berkeley Chairperson Chea Neang Eng said that her school offers both Cambridge and national curriculums, increasing the confidence of parents that send their children to study there. The ten-story building is equipped with all thing that student need to support their studies.

“Studying here is like studying in England, so even in the morning from 8 to 12 o'clock, all the international teachers are from all over the United States, from Australia, from Canada, UK and they [students]are all learning math, physics and chemistry. All the international programs just come to study at our location in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. As for the Khmer program, we study from 1 to 4:30, we study the same as state school curriculum, so there are national and international,” she said.

Graduates of BERKELEY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL are presented with a golden opportunity to receive scholarships from esteemed partner universities. These universities, located in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and several other nations, eagerly anticipate the enrollment of students from the school.

The students, meanwhile, are focused on their studies and new acquaintances on the first day of school. Sixth grader Maya Tishkova said she loved studying at Berkeley because of the kind and capable staff they employ.

“It is a comfortable atmosphere,” she said. “Really lovely teachers; they're so kind. They never shout and are really positive. If you’re sad, teacher says ‘It's okay you can do it.’ Teachers are never mad even if you do something bad. They will just say that you should not do like that and they say how better to do [something]. No shouting, no negative, just soft and explaining.”

As a ninth grader, Rith Mengkheng said he had been at the school for nine years and appreciated the school's curriculum. He said, "There are good teachers here. Teachers explain clearly and are quick to understand, and when we focus, [we learn quickly]."

Berkeley International School is a subsidiary of the ELT Institute with nearly 30 years of experience in teaching English to Cambodian students. Chairperson Chea Neang Eng said that the school is currently preparing to build a new campus along Samdech Hun Sen Blvd near Aeon 3 on three hectares of land to provide convenience to students in other districts who want to study.

"Cambodia is moving forward because we all embrace what is new and the school has the sole principle of wanting our students to receive an international degree and an international job with an international salary," she said.