Contributing to the preservation of Khmer ethnic culture.

Since the beginning of June, many Khmer Theravada Buddhist temples in Can Tho City have organized Khmer language classes, helping Buddhist children learn to read and write their "mother tongue," contributing to the preservation of national traditions and culture.

This summer, about 60 students from Khmer ethnic minority groups in Hamlet 5, Vinh Tuong Commune, came to Khemmarapaphe Pagoda to learn the Khmer language. To create the best learning environment, before the course began, the pagoda's management board coordinated with Khmer ethnic minority teachers currently teaching at several schools in the commune to open classes; they also provided notebooks, books, and pens to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Depending on the class, teachers use different teaching methods to make the material easy to understand and absorb. Mr. Duong Kim Lap, a teacher at Ly Thuong Kiet Primary School in Vinh Tuong commune, who teaches 4th-grade Khmer at Khemmarapaphe pagoda, said: “This year, the class has more than 10 students participating. Each session, they arrive early and listen attentively to the lecture, so they learn quickly.”

Thach Truong Ngoc Nhan, a 4th-grade Khmer language student at Khemmarapaphe Pagoda, shared: “Even though it’s during the summer break, I’m still happy to come to the pagoda to learn Khmer with my friends from the neighborhood. The teacher is approachable, and he provides specific guidance on any mistakes in my writing, helping me expand my vocabulary for essays.”

Khmer language class at Pôthyrăngsây Pagoda, Vị Tân Ward.

Unlike many other places that have separate classrooms, the Pôthyrăngsây pagoda in Vị Tân ward utilizes its sala (prayer hall) to set up tables, chairs, and a blackboard for teaching Khmer to about 30 students in grades 1, 2, and 4. To help the children easily understand and remember the material, the monks at the pagoda guide the children to read each lesson written on the blackboard multiple times, review the letters, and teach them the correct way to write.

Danh Hao, a student at Pothyrangsay Pagoda, recounted his first year learning Khmer: “On the first day of class, I was worried about not knowing how to write or read Khmer. After a few days of dedicated teaching from the monk, I can now read and write Khmer consonants and vowels. I feel excited and will try my best to study well so that I can get high marks in the final exam.”

Classes at Khmer Theravada Buddhist temples are typically divided into two sessions, morning and afternoon, from Monday to Friday each week. The curriculum and teaching methods are carefully considered by the monks and teachers to ensure the best possible learning and retention for the students. After the course, the temples collaborate with relevant authorities to conduct assessments, evaluate learning outcomes, and provide gifts to encourage and motivate students to improve.

Besides learning the Khmer language, the children are also taught by teachers and monks in the temple about some customs and cultural traditions of the Khmer people, such as greetings, festivals, and traditional clothing. This creates a foundation for the younger generation of Khmer people to continue to nurture pride and a sense of preserving their ethnic cultural traditions.

Text and photos: PHUOC THUAN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/gop-phan-bao-ton-van-hoa-dan-toc-khmer-a189571.html