SMILE Programme Evaluation

This evaluation examines the SMILE programme, implemented by VVOB and Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport from 2022 to 2026 to strengthen early grade mathematics teaching and learning in Kampot, Kep and Kampong Thom provinces. It is intended for Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport officials, civil society organisations working in education, and others involved in early grade learning and teacher professional development in Cambodia.

The study uses three years of longitudinal data from a matched set of 100 schools in Kampong Thom and Pursat, drawing on teacher surveys and pedagogical content knowledge tests, alongside repeated Early Grade Mathematics Assessments of nearly 1,000 students. It finds substantial evidence of programme impact on student mathematics achievement, with overall EGMA effects in the 0.10–0.30 standard deviation range. Evidence of impact on teacher self-efficacy is limited, and there is no evidence of impact on pedagogical content knowledge. The report identifies areas for further classroom observation and qualitative research.