Literacy Campaign

Literacy Campaign: 40,000 Shan Language Students in 1999

ZengKhamliang, an annual publication by Shan monks, in its Issue No:7, reported that 491 volunteer teachers ( both monks and laymen) were involved in teaching language and Buddhist culture to 15,906 students in 25 townships during the year 1999.

Earlier, the Shan State Army North and the Shan State National Army ( both are cease-fire groups) reported 561 volunteer teachers were recruited to open Shan language classes in 5 townships in northern Shan State ( namely Hsipaw, Lashio, Mongyai, Tangyan and Namkham) and 1 township in Kachin State (namely, Bhamo). Altogether 23,138 students attended the classes.

One report says villagers in one of the villages in the Inlay Lake wept with joy, "because they had never been given had the opportunity to learn the Shan script until then."