According to members of the Mon Literature and Culture committee, preparations are underway to expand Mon Ethnic language classes to Grades 4 and 5 within Basic education schools in Mon state starting next academic year.
On August 26, officials from the military governments Ministry of Ethnic affairs, the Department of Education and Ethnic Literature and Culture, the Mon National Education Committee, a Mon political party, and the Mon Literature and Culture committee met to discuss Mon language education and Mon national education issues.
The committee plans to conduct a township-by-township assessment in September on the current state of Mon ethnic language education, including the number of schools, teachers and students, as well as teaching needs.
“As we continue teaching, if needs and weaknesses emerge, we have to make adjustments and continue implementing the program. For now, we plan to visit and consult with all village tracts in Mawlamyine Township first,” a committee member said.
Some schools that have a sufficient number of teachers for ethnic language classes have already started teaching Grades 4 and 5.
However, according to the committee, no new TA/LT teachers applied during the current academic year. Meaning, schools may face teacher shortages when expanding ethnic language classes to Grades 4 and 5.
“There are no applicants for TA/LT positions because there are no benefits. There are likely to be quite a number of schools that cannot start the classes because they do not have TA/LT teachers. We are trying to make sure they can start,” the Mon Literature and Culture committee member said.
Classes for Grades 4 and 5 will be taught using the curriculum and textbooks developed in 2010, while the committee will continue coordinating with the education department over shortages of textbooks.
The Mon Literature and Culture organizations are currently mobilizing local teachers who are willing to teach Mon literature. They are also providing salaries and additional benefits to the extent possible in each township.
The appointment of a teacher for Mon language education requires an application to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, while permission to teach must be obtained from the Ministry of Education. As the two ministries need to coordinate on the matter, vacancies remain unfilled.
In Mon state, ethnic language classes are currently being taught at basic education schools in six townships: Paung Chaungzon, Kyaikmaraw, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat and Ye.
