The author first proposes a study of the history of Cambodian primary school education, and describes the dysfunctionality of the current schooling offer in rural Cambodia. Within this context, one identified dysfunction is analysed: pupil absenteeism. At the beginning of the 21st century, what are the reasons that children in rural areas, primarily from rice growing families, are so commonly absent from primary school – either temporarily or permanently ‘dropping out’? First, the author challenges the idea of familial economic concerns as the sole or even primary reason for primary school absenteeism in rural Cambodia. ‘Freed’ from economic constraints at the local level, the analysis shows that to a certain extent, children drop out of school because they have the power to choose not to attend. Indeed, parents seem to have limited influence on the fate of their children’s schooling. The author then proposes a link between this ‘empowerment’ of the child and the parents’ relationship to educational institutions, to understand the importance and priority placed by rice growing people on knowledge acquired through formal schooling.