Thai government includes the teaching of Khmer language in state schools

Mr. Chey Mongkol with his children in front of his Khmer classroom.

Source: Kampuchea Thmey newspaper
Reported in English by Khmerization

The Surin provincial education authority in Thailand has recently included the teaching of Khmer language in state schools after a long campaign by Mr. Chey Mongkol (Chaimongkol Chalermsukjitsri), president of the Cultural and Language Association of Surin.

The decision to include the teaching of Khmer language was made in a meeting on 5th August 2009 between Mr. Chey Mongkol and 30-40 schools from across Surin province.

According to sources, Khmer language will be taught two hours a week from primary to year 12 levels, starting in Svay village in Surin province.

Dr. Ros Chantrabot, Vice-Rector of Royal Academy of Cambodia, said it is very important that the Thai education system allows Khmer language to be taught from primary to secondary levels because, he said, the Khmer language has been taught at tertiary levels in Thailand for a very long time.

Mr. Chey Mongkol, who is a Khmer native from Sisaket, has been teaching ethnic Khmer children the Khmer language in his private schools in Surin and Sisaket from the last few years.