HISTORY ATTRACTS MON STUDENTS

(IMNA: May 19, 2004)

       Summer Mon literacy classes will soon celebrate their graduation ceremony, with over four hundred youths finishing a Mon history exam sponsored by a well-respected monk Ajar Par Lita yesterday in Mon State. According to Mon community source, youth from two states and a division finished the “Mon History” exam which aims to educate teenagers and young adults about Mon literature and history.    It was organized by the Summer Mon Class leader Ajar Par Lita at the Kyaik Lador Sasana in Mawlamyine, capital city of Mon State. The 3 hour exam had four parts: history of the Muttama Dynasty, Suwunabhumi, Hongsawatoi, and history of Mon Literature,” said Nai Nyan Sike, a Mon teacher in Moulmein.    “Results will be announced soon and the graduation ceremony will be held in Thanpyu Zayart at the famous Public House,” Ajar Par Li Ta announced to the enthusiastic students who had written the exam.  This is the fifth exam started four years ago by the well-respected Buddhist monk who specialized in Mon History.    “Noteworthy is that Mon youths from Karen State and Tenasserim Division also joined in this year. Ajar Par Lita is quite happy that his work is expanding,” said Nai Nyan Sike. Mon History was also taught at the Summer Mon Literature Classes, Mawlamyaine, Ye, and Thanpyu Zayart townships and last month, more than ten thousand students finished their summer Mon literacy classes in Mudon Township.  According to the source, local communities in Karen state will open Summer Mon Literature schools soon.