The school started by the New Mon State Party affiliated Mon National Education Department (MNED), accepts only 20 students each year for teacher training. After two-years, students must teach in areas designated by MNED for another two years.
“After completing this school, we have to serve two years teaching school children at the schools that MNED assigns us. We cannot choose the place that we want to teach. It means that we will teach at the schools that do not have enough teachers,” said former student, Min Tala Mon, adding students were taught English by native speakers.
Nai Aie Kon of MNED explained during a speech ten years ago the school was moved to Sangkhlaburi town on the Thai-Burma border where native English teachers could be found. Before it was in Ye-Chaungpyar, Burma.
About 300 students have attended since opening in 2000, said Post Ten headmaster U Maung Maung Than.
“What they learnt mainly from this school is teacher training. It means that they learnt the methods of teaching school kids. Now they can teach by using the method that for school children not to just memorize all stuff. Then, we will help as much as we can for them to win scholarships and continue their study,” said Mi Mol Mol, the Post Ten school supervisor.
Only high school graduates, university graduates or students taking a year off are eligible to attend Post Ten, Mi Mol Mol explained.
The graduation ceremony was supervised by MNED and chaired by Nai Hongsar Bonkhain; in-charge of New Mon State Party’s foreign affair, Nai Aie Kon; Mon National Education Committee, Nai Kasauh Mon; Mon Unity League, and U Maung Maung Than, Post Ten headmaster. World Education staff, Mon organizations based in Sangkhlaburi and other school staff was also in attendance.
The Mon National Education Department has three Mon national high schools. Students are allowed to take regular matriculation exams with permission by the Myanmar government education ministry.
There are 143 Mon National schools and 150 government schools that teaching Mon language, according to MNED estimates.
