Funds needed for Buddhist Secondary School building

Funds needed for Buddhist Secondary School building

A groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new three-storey building for the Buddhist Secondary School took place yesterday at Sokpaluang temple in Sisattanak district, Vientiane.

Venerable Phong Samaleuk sprinkles khao tok taek (puffed rice) at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday at Sokpaluang temple in Vientiane.

Guests present at the ceremony included the President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation, Venerable Phong Samaleuk, Ms Thongvan Siphandone – the wife of former Lao president Mr Khamtay Siphandone – and other concerned officials.

Speaking at the event, Venerable Phong said the Lao government prioritised education as the most important development priority in the country because knowledge and skills came from a good education.

“After we recognise the importance of education, a school building is essential to provide teaching and learning surroundings,” he said.

The school at Vat Sokpaluang is a major learning centre for Buddhists in Vientiane. Over 800 students from different temples enroll there each academic year, of which most come from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout the country.

While general subjects based on the Ministry of Education and Sports curriculum are taught, additional subjects including the Dhamma or Buddhist teachings, Buddhist principles and the Pali language are offered for novices and monks.

Venerable Phong said a large amount of money would need to be sourced from members of public, individuals and donors to complete the new building.

“A contribution to the construction of the school building means monks will have a new place to study, which is another means of merit-making in the Buddhist teachings,” he said.

Construction committee member, Mr Oudone Phetchanphone, said an exact date to begin construction had not be en set, with the committee still looking for a contractor.

He said the cost of construction was expected to be more than US$800,000, excluding the cost of labour by company employees.

“We hope to begin within the next two months be fore the new school year has started,” Mr Oudone said.

The new building will occupy an area of 540 square metres, and will be 60 metres long by 9 metres wide, with 18 classrooms in total.

Those looking to contribute funds for the construction of the new school can contact the committee directly on (021) 412193 or call Monk Soukhy Heuanmoungkhoun on (020) 55700088.

Contributions can be made in three currencies to bank accounts of the Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL), under the account name Buddhist School Construction Project Foundation.

The account number for Lao kip is 010-12-00-00412144-001; for Thai baht is 010-8-12-02-15662; and for US$ is 010-8-12-01-30402.

By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong 
(Latest Update June 13, 2013)