Pali Education in Lao P.D.R.

Although I walk past the Lao "Sangha College" frequently, I do not yet have
a clear notion as to how they formally teach Pali.  I managed to purchase a
copy of one of their textbooks --which is excellent, but a Xerox of a
pre-revolutionary (hand-written!) book.  However, the textbook in question
is merely a primer for the Lao-Dhamma *script*, not the Pali language. I
clipped the following short article from the internet; it does indicate that
the formal study of Pali proceeds there at a "demanding" and "academic"
level.  I would be very interested to see what textbooks they're using --in
the long term, I'm sure I could arrange for my own book to be translated
into Lao, and produced at low cost (just have a good book with the tables of
declension and conjugation would probably be a big help ... even if there
were no Lao instruction in the text).
E.M.
  ----------------------------------
[QUESTION:]
  - Are there any places in Laos which offer Buddhist studies at an
academically high level?

[ANSWER:]

    Yes, there is the Sangha College at Vat Ong Teu.

    Today, Vat Ong Teu remains an important temple during celebrations in the
city. However, there is another feature which makes this particular temple
one of the most important in all of Laos.

    That is, the Buddhist school officially known as Sangha College.
Otherwise called Buddhist College or Vat Ong Teu School by the locals. The
school shares its grounds with Vat Ong Teu (or Ong Teu Temple).

    The college was originally created in 1925 to address the needs of monks
who wanted to pursue Buddhist studies at an academically higher level - a
level that goes further than what may be taught in temples. Its name at that
time was "Hong hien pa bali eyut dtee tum". It is also sometimes called, by
local scholars as, Higher School of Pali.

    The school's purpose is primarily scholary and academic. Buddhist monks
who choose to go there to study after completing high school are those who
take Buddhist studies extremely serious and wish to further their knowledge
on, not only a spiritual level but, an academic one. And like any college or
university there are requirements and expectations.

    Studies at this school include the entire range of Buddhist studies
including the languages of Pali, "tum" and Lao. In addition, there are
dhamma, vinnaya, history and literature studies, to name a few

--
A saying of the Buddha from http://metta.lk/
Get your Dhamma Books from http://books.metta.lk/
Distinctly understanding this (difference) the wise (intent) on heedfulness
rejoice in heedfulness, delighting in the realm of Ariyas.
Random Dhammapada Verse 22