Local communities in Hpa-An Township, Karen State, are working together to provide additional financial support for Mon language teachers on top of their regular salaries.
According to a Mon language activist from the Gyaing River area, the Education Department increased the monthly salary of Teaching Assistants (TAs) to 190,000 kyats in December 2025.
In addition, Mon communities living abroad have agreed to contribute 100,000 kyats per teacher. The aim is to help each teacher receive a total monthly income of 300,000 kyats.
The activist said many Mon language teachers leave their jobs each year because of low pay, raising concerns that students could lose opportunities to learn their mother tongue in basic education schools.
“Starting from June, we will provide the support. Many TA teachers have resigned because the salary is too low. Every year, several teachers leave. We contacted Mon people in Korea, and they agreed to contribute 100,000 kyats per teacher. If local villagers also help, we can increase the total support to 300,000 kyats per month,” he said.
He also encouraged other communities to launch similar initiatives to support teachers and help preserve Mon language education for future generations.
During the previous academic year, Mon language classes were suspended in at least five schools in villages across Karen State because of a shortage of Mon language teachers.
Another language activist said newly printed Mon language textbooks for Grades 1, 2, and 3, published by the Mon Literature and Culture Organization, have been distributed to schools for the current academic year.
“This year is the first time we have received newly printed Mon textbooks. Previously, they were difficult to obtain, and teachers had to borrow old books and make photocopies for teaching. Now that there is an Ethnic Affairs Minister, we hope there will be more opportunities this year,” he said.
Language activists said political changes in recent years have affected both teacher salaries and the production of new Mon language textbooks, forcing many teachers to continue relying on photocopied materials.
They also called on authorities to replace the current daily-wage payment system with a regular salary structure for Mon language teachers.
Since 2021, Teaching Assistants, who help teach ethnic languages and other subjects, have received 130,000 kyats per month, while Language Teachers (LTs) have received 60,000 kyats per month.
According to a statement from the State Ethnic Literature and Culture Department under the military junta, salaries were increased in December 2025. Teaching Assistants now receive 190,000 kyats per month, while Language Teachers receive 120,000 kyats per month.
