Rising Fuel Costs Hit Cambodia's Floating Schools

Fuel prices in Cambodia have risen sharply after the conflict in Iran disrupted global oil supplies, prompting a surge in the cost of diesel and gasoline that many Cambodians depend on for daily activities. The increase has hit families in the country’s fishing communities hardest, as boats and motorized equipment essential for catching fish and transporting goods now require significantly more expenditure. Market analysts attribute the price hike to both the reduced availability of refined petroleum products and the depreciation of the Cambodian riel against the U.S. dollar, which together have driven up import costs for fuel distributors.

The higher fuel costs are also affecting children living around Tonle Sap, the nation’s largest freshwater lake, where many families rely on boat transport to reach schools and markets. With transportation expenses climbing, parents are forced to allocate a larger share of their limited income to fuel, reducing the resources available for school fees, uniforms and supplies. As a result, attendance rates among school‑age children in the lake’s peripheral villages have begun to slip, adding another obstacle to educational attainment in an area already challenged by seasonal flooding and limited infrastructure.