Teaching Khmer language and writing to students in coastal border areas

The Khmer writing class was organized by Lai Hoa Border Guard Station, Soc Trang Border Guard in collaboration with the local Department of Education and Training and Prey Chop Pagoda. In addition to joining hands to preserve and promote the language and writing of ethnic minorities, this special writing class also helps students in coastal border areas have more experiences and useful entertainment during the summer vacation.

After 2 months of teaching, on August 13, Lai Hoa Border Guard Station (Soc Trang Provincial Border Guard) coordinated with Prey Chop Pagoda, Lai Hoa Commune, Vinh Chau Town to organize the closing ceremony of the Khmer language and writing class in the summer of 2024 for students in Lai Hoa Commune. The class with 33 students participating was held right at the Ho Chi Minh Room of Lai Hoa Border Guard Station; the direct teachers were Khmer ethnic cadres working at the unit, with good qualifications and knowledge.

Graduation ceremony scene. Photo: Internet.

During the 2 months, the Organizing Committee of the class taught the correct content of the curriculum including Khmer language for grades 1 and 2 developed by the Vinh Chau TownEducation Department; taught according to the plan, ensuring the requirements of knowledge and skills standards; selected content, duration, methods, and forms suitable for each student, meeting their cognitive ability and sustainable development requirements in the actual conditions of the locality. In addition to learning Khmer at the station, the students were also supplemented by the unit's staff with content related to "prevention of drowning" and "prevention of sexual abuse" and traffic safety. Thereby, equipping the children with basic knowledge and skills to help protect themselves.

Representatives of Lai Hoa Border Guard Station Command, Soc Trang Border Guard and Vinh Chau Town Education Department presented gifts and certificates to students. Photo: Internet.

Major Soc Dung, Deputy Political Commissar of Lai Hoa Border Guard Station, Soc Trang Border Guard, said: “The unit's opening of Khmer language classes for students during the summer in the area under its management stems from the practical mass mobilization work of the Border Guard in general and Lai Hoa Border Guard Station in particular. Secondly, it demonstrates the sense of responsibility of officers and soldiers of Lai Hoa Border Guard Station in joining hands with local Party committees and authorities as well as departments, branches and organizations in helping students participate in learning and improving their ability to speak their ethnic and mother tongues. The unit determined that this is a very important task in joining with local authorities to organize activities for students during the summer”. It can be seen that teaching Khmer language and literacy to students in coastal border areas is very important, including: Preserving and promoting indigenous culture: Khmer is the main language of ethnic minority communities living in border areas. Teaching Khmer helps preserve and promote this unique cultural feature, contributing to preserving national identity. Teaching also ensures access to education: Providing education in the mother tongue for students in coastal border areas helps them easily acquire knowledge, without being limited by language barriers. This ensures equal access to education for them. Thereby, promoting community integration and development: Learning Khmer helps students in coastal border areas to better integrate into the community, easily communicate, access information and public services. This contributes to promoting socio-economic development in the border areas. Strengthening connections between communities: Teaching Khmer to students in coastal border areas creates opportunities for cultural exchange and cooperation between ethnic communities, contributing to strengthening solidarity and mutual support. In short, teaching Khmer to students in coastal border areas has practical significance in preserving culture, ensuring the right to education, promoting integration and community development./.

Kim Oanh