About TDSO
Cambodia's reference organisation for in-service teacher professional development
TDSO operates as Cambodia’s reference organisation for in-service teacher professional development. We work with practicing teachers in public schools, delivering systematic professional development through our Transferable Pedagogical Approaches framework.
Our team of over 50 professionals operates from our Centre of Competence in Siem Reap, with nationwide coverage through all 18 provincial TEIs. We are fully integrated into the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport’s 2030 strategy, working within existing government structures to drive systemic change in teacher quality.
Unlike traditional training providers, we focus on building sustainable capacity within Cambodia’s education system. Our methodology is evidence-based, transferable, and designed to create lasting improvement in teaching practice across the country’s public school
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Vision: Every Child has the Right to a Trained Teacher
We believe that trained teachers are the foundation of quality education. No child should be taught by someone without proper professional development, regardless of where they live or their circumstances. This vision drives everything we do.
Our Mission: Cambodia’s reference organisation for in-service teacher development
We provide systematic, evidence-based professional development for practicing teachers in Cambodia’s public schools. By working within government structures and focusing on transferable methodology, we build sustainable capacity that creates lasting improvement in teaching quality.
Our Values:
Fairness and transparency – We commit to using the resources entrusted to us solely for the organisation’s objectives and to communicate regularly, timely and entirely on our activities and progress.
Service to the community – We commit to letting the interest of the local and global communities take precedence over our personal interest, even over the organisation’s interest.
Excellence and continuous improvement – We commit to permanently striving to improve the quality of our services and programmes.
Our Approach
TDSO’s distinctive methodology centres on our Transferable Pedagogical Approaches (TPA) framework. This systematic approach to teacher professional development is grounded in second language pedagogy, specifically Communicative Language Teaching methodology.
We work with in-service teachers in Cambodia’s public schools, delivering structured professional development that creates measurable improvements in classroom practice. Our evidence-based methodology ensures consistency and quality across all programmes, whilst our focus on transferable approaches means the skills teachers develop extend beyond single subjects or contexts.
Rather than operating as external trainers, we function as embedded partners within the government education system. This approach ensures our work contributes to systemic change in teaching quality, building sustainable capacity that continues long after individual projects conclude.
Meet our Team
Our team of over 50 professionals brings together extensive expertise in teacher development, educational leadership, and programme management. Operating on a ‘Cambodians for Cambodians’ principle, we prioritise building local capacity and ownership, with all of our team being Cambodian nationals who understand the education system from within.
Based at our Centre of Competence in Siem Reap, the team delivers systematic professional development across all 18 provincial TEIs. Executive Director Son Nat, who holds a Master’s degree in TESOL from the University of Canberra, leads daily operations, supported by Board Chair Mark Desmaele’s strategic guidance to the management team. This combination of local expertise and international experience ensures our programmes are both pedagogically sound and contextually appropriate for public school implementation.
Governance & Transparency
Transparency and accountability are fundamental to our operations. As a registered NGO in Cambodia (registration number 10968), we maintain rigorous governance standards and publish comprehensive annual reports detailing our activities and financial performance.
Our governance structure includes a Board of Directors in Cambodia, and an International Advisory Board. We operate under clearly defined policies and procedures, with regular independent audits ensuring proper stewardship of resources entrusted to us.