At PEPY we recognize that the value of a school is the learning that happens in the classrooms. Though our key focus is improving the quality of education in rural areas through holistic education programs and teacher training, PEPY has also endeavored to improve access to education by constructing permanent, safe classrooms.

In partnership with AAfC, PEPY funded the construction of a five building classroom (The PEPY Ride School) at Hun Sen Chanleas Dai in 2005, and a secondary school at Orussey Kandal in Steung Treng Province which opened in March 2007 (The PEPY Friends School).  Hun Sen Chanleas Dai has an enrollment of over 500 students, and also houses a government kindergarden with over 70 students.  Orussey Kandal Secondary School is the first junior high school in the commune of that area, serving over 100 students in 7th-9th grades.

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In 2009, PEPY is working  with the District Office of Education in Kralanh and an international organization to fund the construction of three five-classroom buildings at Tram Kong primary school, Ruun primary school, and Preah Lean primary school.  These pre-existing government schools are in states of complete disrepair, with students unable to study during the rainy season or during times of strong wind.  Preah Lean and Tram Kong are each falling down wooden structures, which pose a safety risk to the teachers and students that study there.  At Ruun, students study in two  temporary thatch palm structures outside for lack of classroom space.  After a needs assessment in collaboration with the District Office, PEPY worked with the community to choose contractors through a participatory bidding process led by village leaders.  Construction is participatory, with local labor, oversight and monitoring as part of the building process. Construction of all three primary schools began in January of 2009 and is expected to be completed by May. 

Additionally, PEPY is funding the construction of the first-ever secondary school in Chanleas Dai in 2009. With seven primary schools in the commune, increasing 6th grade graduation rates, and no junior high building, students wishing to continue to their education must bike 15 kilometers round trip to Kralanh. For many young students, helping their family on the farm or illegally migrating to Thailand to find work are more reasonable alternatives. The new secondary school, slated to open in October 2009, will provide safe classrooms for more than 150 students who wish to continue past 6th grade.