Tens of thousands of students are studying Khmer.

After the merger, Vinh Long province has 156 Khmer temples (including 143 Khmer temples in the former Tra Vinh province and 13 Khmer temples in the former Vinh Long province). Most of these temples organize Khmer language and script classes annually.

Preserving and promoting the Khmer language and script has helped Khmer ethnic students develop skills, broaden their understanding of culture, and foster a spirit of national unity.

Besides teaching the Khmer language in schools, Khmer Theravada Buddhist temples also organize more than 900 free Khmer language literacy classes at various temple locations. Over 800 monks and respected community leaders fluent in Khmer participate in teaching, attracting more than 20,000 students.

These classes are usually organized by the temple during the summer. This is a time of rest for the students, but they are all very eager to attend. The classes have helped to draw the students away from phones and unhealthy games.

Thach Chau Ngoc, an 11th-grade student at Tra Vinh Pali-Khmer Vocational School, said that this is the second time she has studied Khmer at Ang Pagoda (Nguyet Hoa Ward, Vinh Long Province).

Ngoc said that she learned many useful things in each class. It wasn't just about reading and writing Khmer, but also about the culture and moral values of the ethnic group. "Before, I could speak but couldn't write; now I can write letters in Khmer," the student added.

Each class at the pagoda typically has 15 to 25 students attending throughout the two summer months. Every year, it attracts a large number of children from ethnic minority communities in the commune. This activity not only helps the children learn to read and write but also contributes to preserving and maintaining their mother tongue and traditional ethnic identity.

Besides learning to write, the children also learn about the morals, history, and traditional rituals of the Khmer people.

In the same class as Ngoc, Thach To Sovane Dara, a 9th-grade student at Chau Thanh Ethnic Boarding School, said she is very proud to be learning the spoken and written language of her ethnic group.

"I hope to be able to teach the children in the neighborhood in the future. The teachers are very easy to understand and patient, and the learning atmosphere is very enjoyable," added Dara.

Contributing to the preservation of spoken and written language.

According to Venerable Thach Do Ra, one of the instructors at Ang Pagoda (Nguyet Hoa Ward, Vinh Long Province), the class is divided into several groups according to skill level, with classes held both in the morning and afternoon.

"Besides literacy, we also incorporate moral principles, history, and traditional rituals so that the children understand their roots and live in accordance with their national identity," the Venerable Monk said.

Venerable Thach Le, abbot of Ta Ot Pagoda in Cau Ke commune, said that for the Khmer people, the pagoda is their second home. All cultural and traditional activities are centered around the pagoda. Opening the classes aims to provide opportunities for Khmer children to learn their mother tongue, thereby understanding their roots and preserving their traditional culture.

"Since the beginning of the year, the pagoda has opened 22 classes to teach the Khmer language to ethnic minority people. This is the duty of those who have learned it before to pass it on to those who learn it after, a long-standing tradition of the Khmer people," said Venerable Thach Le.

Ms. Thach Thi Thu Ha, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Vinh Long province, added that in the 2024-2025 school year, nearly 36,000 students will be learning Khmer at 125 schools and temples.

Previously, in the former Tra Vinh province, Khmer language teachers received a subsidy of 35,000 VND per lesson according to Resolution 13/2020.

Ms. Ha also stated that she had advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue a policy to support those who directly teach Khmer language at temples in the province, especially monks and Achar (respected individuals). According to her, this is the core force contributing to preserving the spoken language, written script, and culture of the Khmer people.

Vinh Long currently has over 353,000 Khmer ethnic people, accounting for 8.42% of the province's total population. Over the past period, the implementation of national target programs in ethnic minority areas, along with the integration of local programs, has gradually fostered development and innovation in the Khmer community.

Many programs aimed at improving the living standards of the Khmer ethnic minority in the province have been successfully implemented. The poverty rate among the Khmer ethnic minority has decreased to 1.6%, and the near-poverty rate to 3.2%. Compared to 2021, the poverty rate has decreased by 5.45% and the near-poverty rate by 7.09%.

With its prominent and rich culture, especially the preservation and promotion of the Khmer language and script, students from the Khmer ethnic minority have developed skills in using the Khmer script. This broadens their understanding of ethnic culture, fosters national unity, and contributes to the preservation and promotion of the language and script.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/nhung-lop-hoc-mien-phi-tieng-khmer-duoi-mai-chua-post753942.html