Organizing summer classes to teach Khmer language to children at pagodas. Photo: baosoctrang.org.vn
Fully aware of the role of the language and writing of ethnic minorities in preserving the cultural identity of the Khmer people, Soc Trang province always pays attention to and prioritizes the work of education and training for ethnic minorities, including the Khmer people; especially the teaching of Khmer language to ethnic minority children is maintained and implemented according to Decree No. 82/2010/ND-CP dated July 15, 2010 of the Government regulating the teaching and learning of the language and writing of ethnic minorities in general education institutions and continuing education centers.
In order to effectively implement the preservation and maintenance of the Khmer language and writing, Soc Trang province has developed a program, regulations on teaching content and enrollment for the Southern Intermediate Pali Cultural Supplementary School and Khmer script at all levels. Specifically, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 196/QD-UBND dated January 21, 2015 and Decision No. 399/QD-UBND dated January 3, 2017 to establish the Compilation Board, the Appraisal Board and the training program, and the training of Pali teachers and the Pali Elementary Curriculum.
Along with that, implementing Decision No. 1719/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2021 of the Prime Minister approving the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2030 period, Phase I: from 2021 to 2025; including Sub-project 1 - Project 5: Innovation in activities, strengthening the development of ethnic boarding schools, semi-boarding schools, secondary schools with semi-boarding students and eliminating illiteracy for people in ethnic minority areas and Project 6: Preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development has also contributed to preserving and conserving the language and writing of the Khmer ethnic community through implementation in the locality.
Although there are still some difficulties in teaching and learning for ethnic minority children in the locality, it has basically achieved remarkable results, specifically: in the 2022-2023 school year in Soc Trang, the number of ethnic minority students studying is 98,963/267,664 students, accounting for nearly 37% of the total number of students in the province; of which there are 84,974 Khmer students (accounting for 31.75%), 13,787 Chinese students (accounting for 13.93%), and 202 students from other ethnic groups (accounting for 0.24%). Investment, upgrading, and educational equipment continue to be enhanced, better meeting the teaching and learning needs at the system of Ethnic Boarding Schools. At the same time, the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Finance coordinate to advise the Provincial People's Committee to provide additional funding to purchase Khmer textbooks and school supplies, with a total budget of over 2 billion VND per year to encourage and motivate students to learn ethnic minority languages according to regulations. The province currently has 10 ethnic boarding schools with 102 classes, for 3,409 students; 134 general schools organizing Khmer language teaching, with 1,625 classes, for 44,509 students;...
Incentive policies for Khmer language teachers have been effectively implemented, specifically: Soc Trang currently has 354 Khmer language teachers, over 80% of whom meet the prescribed standards. For cadres, civil servants and public employees working in Khmer ethnic minority areas, but not knowing Khmer affects the propaganda and mobilization work of people in Khmer ethnic minority areas. Therefore, the province issued the Khmer Language Training Project (July 11, 2019) focusing on training 3 basic and advanced Khmer language classes and translation and interpretation for cadres, civil servants and public employees in the area, in 2 phases (2019 - 2020 and 2021 - 2025).
During the 2019-2020 period, the Project has trained more than 500 cadres, civil servants and public employees in the area. Many students have been able to communicate, write and read Khmer, improving work efficiency, and at the same time doing a good job of propaganda and mobilizing Khmer people to implement the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws. At the same time, assigning core teachers to guide and implement topics in Khmer language teaching proposed by localities so that Khmer language teachers have the opportunity to learn expertise and share teaching experiences effectively with students. The Khmer language teacher competition at all levels is regularly held to select teachers with solid professional expertise, building a team of core Khmer language teachers in the province.
In addition, the Provincial People's Committee issued a plan to implement Resolution No. 17/2019/NQ-HDND dated December 6, 2019 of the Provincial People's Council stipulating a special policy to support Khmer language and script teachers in the summer at 40,000 VND/period, the number of supported periods is not more than 4 periods/day/class and is applied for 5 years (2020 - 2024). On the other hand, investment in facilities, teaching equipment, training of cadres and teachers of Khmer language is also deployed to improve the quality of the ethnic boarding school system in the province.
Encourage students to learn ethnic minority languages. (Illustration photo)
The province also organized the production and broadcasting of the program "Learning Khmer together" on Soc Trang Radio and Television at the basic level of 87 lessons and the advanced level to better serve the needs of cadres, civil servants and public employees in the province and the general needs of society.
To preserve the language and writing of the Khmer people in the area, Soc Trang province has prioritized the implementation of many solutions. In addition to teaching bilingualism in public schools in the area, the province has coordinated with the Association of Patriotic Monks and Monks to mobilize 92 Khmer Theravada Buddhist pagodas to continue the tradition of opening free Khmer and Pali-Vini classes for monks and Khmer people in the province. Organizing summer classes to teach Khmer language for children at pagodas is also encouraged. During nearly 3 summer months, children can study completely free of charge, ensuring compliance with the curriculum of the education sector. At the pagodas, students learn the language and writing and are shared about the customs, habits and culture of the Khmer people; at the same time, the pagodas also educate children about ethics, personality, filial piety and communication and behavioral etiquette. This activity not only contributes to preserving and promoting Khmer language, writing and culture but also helps students have a truly meaningful and rewarding summer vacation.
In the 2023-2024 school year, the provincial education sector will continue to improve the physical facilities of 131 schools (teaching both the general education program of the Ministry of Education and Training and the Khmer language and script) and 10 ethnic boarding schools in the area. At the same time, the Khmer Theravada pagodas in the province will be encouraged to continue teaching the Khmer language and script during the summers of the following years.
On the basis of implementing the Khmer Language Training Project in combination with the implementation of the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas as well as related policies; The Provincial People's Committee assigned units such as the Ethnic Committee, the Department of Education and Training, the Provincial Fatherland Front, etc. to develop a detailed plan; organize implementation, strengthen the direction of inspection, supervision, urging implementation, and do a good job of propaganda to ensure progress, quality and effectiveness in the coming time. With the attention and direction of the provincial leaders as well as the coordination of specialized agencies, the Provincial Fatherland Front, etc., the preservation and conservation of the Khmer language and writing in Soc Trang province will be effectively promoted, contributing to the restoration, preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values.
Nguyen Quynh Tram (Front Magazine)
Source: https://baophutho.vn/bao-ton-tieng-noi-chu-viet-cua-cong-dong-dan-toc-nguoi-khmer-225817.htm
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