Fueling Inequality: Cambodia’s Floating Schools Squeezed by Rising Costs

Cambodia’s floating schools are no strangers to adversity, located on Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. The recent surge in fuel prices has pushed families living on the water to the breaking point.

Gasoline prices rose 45% and diesel prices more than 70% in March, the largest single-month increase since 2008. For Soksan’s family, who rely on fishing for their livelihood, this translates into an impossible choice: fuel or food, education or survival. When gasoline costs $5.70 a liter, every dollar counts.

Higher fuel prices have far-reaching effects, impacting not just students but also teachers and the delivery of educational materials. Remote schools depend on boats to transport staff, textbooks, and supplies. As Samphors Vorn, country director of Action Education in Cambodia, notes, “access to education depends not only on having a school, but also on being able to reach it.”

The Cambodian government’s efforts to cushion consumers from international fuel-price increases are laudable, but ultimately insufficient. Subsidies at the pump cannot shield families whose incomes remain low and unpredictable. The World Bank estimates that Cambodia relies heavily on imported fuel, leaving households exposed to global price shocks.

This crisis is not isolated; it is a symptom of a deeper problem – a pattern of inequality perpetuated by climate change and economic shocks. In 2025, DW reported on the region’s struggles with disrupted children’s education due to rising and falling water levels, extreme weather, and the dangers of traveling by boat. Today, that challenge has only deepened.

For families like Soksan’s, the struggle is not just about reaching school; it’s about survival. When fuel prices rise, they are forced to make impossible choices between buying gasoline or paying for food, clothing, or school supplies. The pressure is felt both on the fishing boat and the school boat.

The consequences of this crisis are dire. For Nary, who has been unable to return to class due to health complications linked to suspected long-term meningitis, and her younger sister Naren, who relies on a school boat and pays around 12 cents for the return journey – their story serves as a stark reminder that education is a human right.

In the face of rising fuel costs, it’s time to rethink our priorities. Education is not just about providing textbooks or teachers; it’s about creating opportunities for families to break the cycle of poverty. The Cambodian government must do more than offer subsidies at the pump – they must address the root causes of inequality and invest in sustainable solutions that benefit all communities.

As we face this complex crisis, one thing is clear: fueling inequality is a choice we can no longer afford. It’s time to act – not just for Cambodia’s floating schools but for every community struggling to access education amidst rising costs and shrinking resources. The classroom is where the next generation will shape the future of our world; let us ensure that no child is left behind in this journey.