Cash Equals Education? A Case Study of How a Scholarship to Highland Students in Ratanakiri, Cambodia Promotes Educational Participation

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis was to explore how a scholarship distributed to upper secondary school students of ethnic minority in Ratanakiri, Cambodia has promoted educational participation. To do this, this thesis analysed students’ understanding of the value of education, obstacles to participation and how the scholarship has addressed these obstacles. A qualitative approach was used where data was gathered through individual interviews and focus group discussions with students in Ratanakiri. The data was analysed in relation to the analytical framework that consists of previous research on the topic and by using thematic analysis. The findings show that education was valued by the informants, by reference to its importance for gaining knowledge and having improved future opportunities. Obstacles to participation were found within financial resources, obstacles connected to the school and on individual, family and community levels. The informants understood the scholarship to promote educational participation through reducing expenses, increasing access to education and motivation for participation, improving opportunities to better one’s academic performance, improving parental and community support for education and raising awareness about the importance of education. However, not all obstacles could be addressed by the scholarship, indicating that further interventions are needed to improve educational participation.