Civil society groups must be involved in Mon Language teaching pilot

March 28, 2023

HURFOM: The New Mon State Party (NMSP) has signed an agreement with the military council for a pilot project called “Teaching Mon Language in Government Schools”. The initiative will take place in Chaung Zone, Mudon and Thanbyuzayat Townships, in Mon State in the 2023-24 academic year.

The General Secretary of the Mon Literature and Culture Committee, Nai Mon Raja, said the Ministry of Education was not capable of implementing the project alone, so civil society groups such as the Mon Literature and Culture Committee are needed.

“Mon literature groups must be allowed to be involved in the project of “Teaching Mon Language in Government Schools”. I’ve opined that the contribution of the Mon literature group will complement the project,” said Nai Mon Raja.

Since 2010, when the country was governed by President U Thein Sein, Mon ethnic groups have demanded their language be taught in government schools.

Mon language was taught in government schools for Grades 2 to 5 but there have been on-the ground implementation challenges and difficulties.

“The headmasters/mistress said there must be an approval from the district authorities and they didn’t allow teaching Mon language in Grades 4 and 5. That’s unacceptable. We must have these rights in accordance with the agreement,” continued Nai Mon Raja.

Language Teachers (LT) and the Teaching Assistants (TA) have now been appointed to teach Mon language in government schools.

The NMSP has agreed with the military council on the following points.

That the Mon language must be taught in school hours.

There must be a grade promotion exam for the Mon language.

Mon language school teachers must have equal rights with school teachers appointed by the government and the Ministry of Education.

However, the implementation plan for the above points of agreement is still unclear.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News