Teacher Housing at Sala Dong School in Kirirom Faces 14-Day Removal Order
KAMPONG SPEU, Cambodia — The founder of Sala Dong School in the Kirirom area says he is facing a difficult situation after authorities ordered the removal of five teacher accommodation buildings within 14 days.
The buildings, which were constructed to provide separate accommodation for teachers working at the school, have become the center of a dispute over their location and whether they were built on public land and within a historically significant military site.
The school founder says he is seeking a solution that would allow the school to continue operating while respecting the government's authority over the land.
Authorities identify multiple unauthorized structures
According to a July 22 letter from the Kampong Speu Military Operations Command cited in the source material, authorities identified 29 cases involving structures considered unauthorized in the area.
The list reportedly includes five teacher houses or accommodation facilities associated with Sala Dong School.
The letter stated that many of the identified structures were built during late 2025 and early 2026. However, the accommodation buildings associated with Sala Dong were reportedly constructed earlier, with the founder saying they date back to around 2018.
Authorities also reportedly identified the structures as being located within the Techo Kirirom military historical site.
School founder says he was surprised by the order
Sala Dong founder Un Vannade said he was surprised after a notice dated August 13 was posted on the wall of one of the buildings.
The notice reportedly gives the school 14 days to remove the structures.
It also warns that failure to comply within the specified period could result in legal measures under Cambodia's environmental regulations.
The founder says the school itself is not the problem. Instead, he argues that the five teacher houses were built to provide separate living arrangements for teachers and students.
The school reportedly serves more than 160 students from surrounding communities, including children from economically disadvantaged families.
Why were the teacher houses built?
According to the founder, the accommodation was created so teachers would not have to live together with students at the school.
This was particularly important because the school has both Cambodian and foreign teachers.
The buildings occupy a site measuring approximately 12 meters by 30 meters, according to the founder.
He said the purpose was to create a clear separation between teacher accommodation and the learning and living environment of students.
From the school's perspective, the structures were intended to support the school's educational mission rather than to claim ownership of state land.
Founder says the school could face serious difficulties
The 14-day deadline has raised concerns about how the school would continue operating if the accommodation is removed.
The founder said he does not know where the teachers could relocate.
He also argued that teachers cannot simply live in temporary tents while continuing to provide education to students.
According to his account, if a practical solution cannot be found, the school could eventually face difficulties maintaining its operations.
The issue is therefore not only about the buildings themselves but also about the accommodation and working conditions of teachers serving students in a remote area.
School seeks a solution rather than confrontation
Rather than opposing the authorities outright, the founder said he wants relevant institutions to help find a legal solution.
One option he proposed is for authorities to provide a formal document confirming that the land remains state property while allowing the school to continue using the site for its educational activities.
He emphasized that his presence at Kirirom was intended to provide education and support to local children, not to take state land for personal ownership.
The founder questioned why the issue had only become a major concern after the school had been operating for many years.
He said he would prefer discussion with the relevant authorities so that the school can understand what is required and determine whether an alternative arrangement is possible.
Balancing education and land management
The case highlights a broader challenge that can arise when schools, community projects and public institutions operate in areas subject to environmental, historical or state-land regulations.
On one hand, authorities have a responsibility to protect public land and enforce applicable regulations.
On the other hand, schools serving remote communities may depend on existing facilities to accommodate teachers and maintain their educational programs.
Finding a solution could therefore require cooperation between the school, local authorities, environmental officials and other relevant government institutions.
What happens next?
The immediate issue is the 14-day removal deadline.
The school founder is seeking discussions with relevant authorities in the hope of finding an arrangement that complies with land and environmental regulations while allowing teachers to remain available to students.
At this stage, based on the information provided, it is not clear whether authorities will approve an alternative arrangement, extend the deadline, or require the buildings to be completely removed.
The outcome could have implications not only for Sala Dong School but also for how community-based educational projects operate in areas subject to state land and environmental restrictions.
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