1 MONGOLIA MARKS CENTENNIAL WITH A NEW COURSE FOR CHANGE WWW.EASTASIAFORUM.ORG PUBLISHED:2024/12/20      2 E-MART OPENS FIFTH STORE IN ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA, TARGETING K-FOOD CRAZE WWW.BIZ.CHOSUN.COM PUBLISHED:2024/12/20      3 JAPAN AND MONGOLIA FORGE HISTORIC DEFENSE PACT UNDER THIRD NEIGHBOR STRATEGY WWW.ARMYRECOGNITION.COM  PUBLISHED:2024/12/20      4 CENTRAL BANK LOWERS ECONOMIC GROWTH FORECAST TO 5.2% WWW.UBPOST.MN PUBLISHED:2024/12/20      5 L. OYUN-ERDENE: EVERY CITIZEN WILL RECEIVE 350,000 MNT IN DIVIDENDS WWW.GOGO.MN PUBLISHED:2024/12/20      6 THE BILL TO ELIMINATE THE QUOTA FOR FOREIGN WORKERS IN MONGOLIA HAS BEEN SUBMITTED WWW.GOGO.MN PUBLISHED:2024/12/20      7 THE SECOND NATIONAL ONCOLOGY CENTER TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN ULAANBAATAR WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2024/12/20      8 GREEN BOND ISSUED FOR WASTE RECYCLING WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2024/12/19      9 BAGANUUR 50 MW BATTERY STORAGE POWER STATION SUPPLIES ENERGY TO CENTRAL SYSTEM WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2024/12/19      10 THE PENSION AMOUNT INCREASED BY SIX PERCENT WWW.GOGO.MN PUBLISHED:2024/12/19      КОКС ХИМИЙН ҮЙЛДВЭРИЙН БҮТЭЭН БАЙГУУЛАЛТЫГ ИРЭХ ОНЫ ХОЁРДУГААР УЛИРАЛД ЭХЛҮҮЛНЭ WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2024/12/20     "ЭРДЭНЭС ТАВАНТОЛГОЙ” ХК-ИЙН ХУВЬЦАА ЭЗЭМШИГЧ ИРГЭН БҮРД 135 МЯНГАН ТӨГРӨГ ӨНӨӨДӨР ОЛГОНО WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2024/12/20     ХУРИМТЛАЛЫН САНГИЙН ОРЛОГО 2040 ОНД 38 ИХ НАЯДАД ХҮРЭХ ТӨСӨӨЛӨЛ ГАРСАН WWW.NEWS.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2024/12/20     “ЭРДЭНЭС ОЮУ ТОЛГОЙ” ХХК-ИАС ХЭРЛЭН ТООНО ТӨСЛИЙГ ӨМНӨГОВЬ АЙМАГТ ТАНИЛЦУУЛЛАА WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2024/12/20     Л.ОЮУН-ЭРДЭНЭ: ХУРИМТЛАЛЫН САНГААС НЭГ ИРГЭНД 135 МЯНГАН ТӨГРӨГИЙН ХАДГАЛАМЖ ҮҮСЛЭЭ WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2024/12/20     “ENTRÉE RESOURCES” 2 ЖИЛ ГАРУЙ ҮРГЭЛЖИЛСЭН АРБИТРЫН МАРГААНД ЯЛАЛТ БАЙГУУЛАВ WWW.BLOOMBERGTV.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2024/12/20     “ORANO MINING”-ИЙН ГЭРЭЭ БОЛОН ГАШУУНСУХАЙТ-ГАНЦМОД БООМТЫН ТӨСЛИЙН АСУУДЛААР ЗАСГИЙН ГАЗАР ХУРАЛДАЖ БАЙНА WWW.BLOOMBERGTV.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2024/12/20     АЖИЛЧДЫН САРЫН ГОЛЧ ЦАЛИН III УЛИРЛЫН БАЙДЛААР ₮2 САЯ ОРЧИМ БАЙНА WWW.BLOOMBERGTV.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2024/12/19     PROGRESSIVE EQUITY RESEARCH: 2025 ОН “PETRO MATAD” КОМПАНИД ЭЭЛТЭЙ БАЙХААР БАЙНА WWW.BLOOMBERGTV.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2024/12/19     2026 ОНЫГ ДУУСТАЛ ГАДААД АЖИЛТНЫ ТОО, ХУВЬ ХЭМЖЭЭГ ХЯЗГААРЛАХГҮЙ БАЙХ ХУУЛИЙН ТӨСӨЛ ӨРГӨН МЭДҮҮЛЭВ WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2024/12/19    

Events

Name organizer Where
MBCC “Doing Business with Mongolia seminar and Christmas Receptiom” Dec 10. 2024 London UK MBCCI London UK Goodman LLC

NEWS

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Electricity tariff increase to be announced next Monday www.theubpost.mn

The government of Mongolia has officially launched a comprehensive energy reform aimed at achieving greater energy independence and sustainability. This initiative comes in response to the country’s reliance on imported energy, which currently accounts for 22 to 23 percent of total consumption at prices higher than those of neighboring countries. However, this initiative has sparked public outrage due to the planned increase in energy prices, which many citizens fear will further burden their households and businesses.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has conducted extensive research on electricity and heat pricing, presenting potential reforms during a briefing led by the commission’s Head E.Tuvshinchuluun on October 29. He outlined that the new pricing structure will consider the unique circumstances of Ulaanbaatar city, rural areas and various enterprises separately. He emphasized that the version presented is based on preliminary calculations and details of the final pricing reforms will be closely monitored, as they will significantly impact both consumers and businesses in Mongolia. ERC will announce its decisions regarding price and tariff increases on November 4.
Historically, energy tariffs in Mongolia have undergone 12 changes since the establishment of ERC in 2002. The last significant increase occurred in 2022, amidst the economic difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the household tariff remained unchanged during that period, enterprise rates were adjusted: a 14 percent increase for those consuming up to 5,000 kWh, a 28 percent rise for those exceeding that threshold, and a 38 percent hike for the mining sector.
Currently, the commission is looking to gradually increase tariffs without a consumption threshold for enterprises, aiming to bring energy prices in line with production costs. E.Tuvshinchuluun stated, “Our main goal is to align energy prices with production costs. We have not calculated any profit in this scenario.”
During a press briefing, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Energy Sector Investments, Tariff Reforms and Mega Projects T.Dorjkhand emphasized the need for reform, stating, “There is insufficient energy to support the construction of factories and subways. Our goal is to provide 100 percent of our energy domestically, while still allowing for imports when necessary.” Despite the government’s intentions, the announcement of impending price hikes has led to widespread criticism.
The energy sector, which has been operational for 101 years, has faced significant challenges, including a consistent increase in demand and the need for additional capacity. Minister of Energy B.Choijilsuren pointed out that electricity consumption per capita in Mongolia is currently about half that of its neighbors. The introduction of new infrastructure, such as the Thermal Power Plant No. 2, is deemed critical for meeting future energy needs.
“The last price increase occurred in 2022, following the pandemic,” B.Choijilsuren explained. “Currently, electricity is produced at 285 MNT but supplied at just 216 MNT. This discrepancy has created financial and technical challenges in the industry.”
The government plans to bring energy prices closer to production costs, establishing a more transparent framework for energy companies. As part of this transparency initiative, energy firms will be required to operate as open joint-stock companies, subject to public scrutiny.
In addition, discussions are underway with Russia to develop a new source of 300 megawatts of electricity and 360 megawatts of heat at the Thermal Power Plant No. 3 facility. However, the high costs of this project remain a concern.
Deputy Prime Minister T.Dorjkhand stressed the importance of uniting across political lines to support this necessary reform. “Energy reform is not just about increasing electricity tariffs. It is a critical step toward reducing our dependence on imports and ensuring a stable energy supply for future development,” he said.
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Chinese premier meets with Mongolian PM in Shanghai www.xinhuanet.com

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday met with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, who is in Shanghai to attend the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE).
Li said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Mongolia have maintained sound, stable momentum in their bilateral relations in recent years. China values its friendly cooperation with Mongolia highly, and considers Mongolia a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, he noted.
He said that both sides should implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state to deepen practical cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples.
Li noted that China will synergize its development strategy with Mongolia further, step up trade and investment cooperation, and enhance cooperation on infrastructure construction in such areas as port connectivity, mining and hydropower stations.
The premier encouraged both sides to tap into the cooperation potential of emerging industries such as the high-tech and green development sectors, and support more capable Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Mongolia.
China will work with Mongolia and other Asian countries in the pursuit of peace, solidarity and cooperation, and enhance exchange and coordination within the frameworks of multilateral mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Oyun-Erdene said that Mongolia abides firmly by the one-China policy, and is willing to maintain mutual respect and support on issues bearing on each other's core interests.
Mongolia stands ready to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in such areas as energy, urban planning and desertification control, and explore cooperation in new fields including artificial intelligence, green development and human resources, he said.
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China highlights port connectivity, minerals, infrastructure with Mongolia www.reuters.com

China said it is willing to strengthen cooperation in port connectivity, mineral development and infrastructure construction with Mongolia, Chinese official news agency Xinhua said.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, when meeting with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, said late on Tuesday that China would support more “qualified enterprises” to invest in Mongolia, and in return hopes for a stable and predictable business environment for Chinese firms.
(By Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Leslie Adler)
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Air Passengers rises 27% from previous year www.gogo.mn

Air Passengers rises 27% from previous year
In the initial 10 months of this year, a total of 125.3 million passengers were transported across all modes of transportation, including:
121.7 million by road
1.9 million by air
1.6 million by rail
Air passengers rose by 27% compared to the same period last year. And cargo transport also had growth, with 107 million tons moved by all modes from January to October 2024:
70.5 million tons by road
36.5 million tons by rail
8.5 thousand tons by air
Overall, cargo transport increased by 20.5% compared to last year, with road freight rising by 24.2% and rail by 14%.
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Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Receives Supreme Decoration From Mongolia www.thediplomat.com

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has been awarded Mongolia’s State Supreme Decoration, the Order of Chinggis Khaan. In honoring Ban, Ulaanbaatar paid special recognition to his contribution in strengthening Mongolia’s democracy and its support for global peace and security.
On November 2, President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa presented the Order of Chinggis Khaan award to Ban in a special ceremony in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Ban’s award ceremony coincided with Mongolia’s National Pride Day, which celebrated the 862nd anniversary of Chinggis Khaan’s birth.
The Order of Chinggis Khaan is a supreme decoration and has only ever been awarded to one other foreign national, esteemed historian and author of multiple books on Mongolia’s history, Jack Weatherford.
In his remarks at the award ceremony, Khurelsukh said that Ban’s “dedication to world peace, human rights, freedom, justice and equality, [and] environmental protection has been instrumental in advancing green development policies and enhancing cooperation between Mongolia and the United Nations.”
In his acceptance speech, Ban expressed “immense honor and gratitude” for the award. He added, “While this is a recognition of personal achievement, more importantly, it is also a celebration of the rich history and enduring spirit of the Mongolian people,” before going on to praise the legacy of the award’s namesake.
“Chinggis Khaan, a name that resonates far beyond the borders of Mongolia, is a symbol of strength, vision, innovation, and unyielding determination,” Ban said. “Indeed, in a world that often feels divided, Chinggis Khaan’s ability to unite diverse peoples under a common vision serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration, diversity, and understanding in harmony with strong leadership.”
The State Supreme Decoration symbolizes Mongolia’s recognition of Ban’s long support for the country’s democracy, as well as his dedication in supporting Mongolia’s missions within the United Nations, especially peacekeeping operations. Ulaanbaatar’s participation in the United Nations is key for the country to conduct its multi-pillared, peaceful foreign policy in a growing hostile environment.
Moreover, Mongolia’s efforts in promoting peace in the Korean Peninsula are close to Ban’s heart as a South Korean native.
Ban Ki-moon served as U.N. Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016, seeking to “mobilize world leaders around a set of new global challenges, from climate change and economic upheaval to pandemics and increasing pressures involving food, energy and water.”
Meanwhile, Mongolia’s international contributions to U.N. goals – including the Climate Change Summit of 2007, the Millennium Development Goals, U.N. Women, and the Sustainable Development Goals – have been a significant part of Mongolia’s democratic approach to development and enhancing Mongolia’s position on the world stage. Considering Ban’s almost decade-long stint as the U.N. leader, he had a role to play in Ulaanbaatar’s successful implementation of many of the U.N. agendas.
Moreover, during Ban’s time as U.N. secretary-general, he established relationships with previous three Mongolian presidents – Enkhbayar Nambar, Elbegdorj Tsakhia, and Battulga Ukhnaa – and visited Mongolia in 2009 and 2019.
In 2009, Ban made a special visit to the Five Hills Peacekeeping Training Center and met with Mongolian peacekeepers who were preparing to deploy to Africa. He thanked the Mongolian leaders for their participation.
Even after leaving the secretary-general role, Ban remained an important figure in Mongolia’s relations with the United Nations, security matters in the Korean Peninsula, as well as Mongolia-South Korea relations. In 2021, Ulaanbaatar and Seoul became strategic partners. In 2023, Ban attended the Trans-Altai Stability Dialogue on Gender Equality and Sustainable Development in Ulaanbaatar.
Mongolia is overcoming the challenges stemming from its landlocked position through relationship building. Having strong relationships with global leaders like Ban is viewed as a positive for Mongolia’s foreign policy.
The decision to award the Order of Chinggis Khaan to someone so active in supporting Mongolia’s transition to a thriving democracy with strong participation in global affairs sends a message about the country’s direction. As a nation, Mongolia is looking to the future and understands how being an active member of the global community can help meet its future challenges. Likewise, Ban’s remarks at the award ceremony portrayed a Mongolia ready to expand its diplomatic influence to promote its values of democracy and peace.
BY Bolor Lkhaajav
Bolor Lkhaajav is a researcher specializing in Mongolia, China, Russia, Japan, East Asia, and the Americas. She holds an M.A. in Asia-Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco.
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A walk through the fascinating cave paintings and rock carvings of Mongolia www.asianews.network

The little-known Mongolia is increasingly coming into the public view. US Secretary of State Blinken was in Ulan Bator in August and proposed a third, virtual, border with the United States. Hopefully he did not have any more military bases in mind, because Mongolia is geostrategically centrally located between China, America’s “systemic rival” – as if competition were not good for business – and the alleged “evil empire”, Russia.
Putin was also in the country in September to renew the decades-long friendship from Soviet times and to conclude new agreements in the energy sector. The French President was there in May, because the numerous nuclear power plants in France require a lot of uranium, one of the many natural resources that Mongolia has in large quantities.
In West Africa, Macron had to put relations on hold following a coup in Niger, the previous supplier of uranium ore, because of accusations of neo-colonialism. And even the Pope was in Ulan Bator a year ago at the invitation of the government, for the first time in history, which had a very long prelude.
After the western campaigns of Genghis Khan and his successors in the first half of the 13th century, panic broke out in Europe. And after the sudden withdrawal of the Mongolian troops in 1241 because of Ögedei Khan’s death, papal emissaries were sent to the Mongolian court to assess the situation. In 1246, the Franciscan John de Plano Carpini attended the enthronement of Genghis Khan’s grandson Güyük near Karakorum and delivered two papal letters full of accusations about the campaigns against Christian Eastern Europe and demanding submission.
Of course, the new Khan rejected this request in a sharp tone. The French King Louis IX had another reason for contacting the Mongols. He was looking for allies for the Crusades against the Muslims in the Holy Land, who had brought Jerusalem under their control, and hoped, briefly even successfully, for a Mongolian military alliance.
Rock carvings in the Mongolian Altai from the Neolithic period
Mongolia is about four times the size of Germany and has a population the size of Berlin. The country is interesting not only because of its mineral resources and not only for geopolitical reasons, but also because of its little-known cultural treasures. In the Mongolian part of the Altai Mountains there are petroglyphs, rock carvings, dating from 11,000 years ago to around 800 years CE. They were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2011. The Mongolian Altai is located in the border region between China and Russia and is up to four thousand meters high, with numerous, deeply cut valleys running through it. The oldest of many thousands of rock carvings in Tsagaan Salaa document the imagination and life of the Stone Age society of hunters and gatherers in what was then a forested mountain range. In Tsagaan Gol you can find petroglyphs from a later era that document the transition to a nomadic society with livestock farming and horse breeding. They date from the Bronze and Iron Ages to the time of the Turkic peoples in the 8th century AD and are partly of excellent quality.
Cave paintings from the Paleolithic period
This year my life partner, who has her roots in Ulan Bator, and I were once again traveling in the Altai Mountains. We knew from an English travel guide that there are also cave paintings from the Paleolithic period in the Altai region and we took a trip with our guide Jagaa from “Explore the Great Altai” to the Tsenkher Caves, about ninety kilometers south of the district capital Khovd. And indeed, they exist! The main cave is unguarded, hardly developed for tourism and you have to climb into small side caves with good shoes to be able to see the treasures. They are less spectacular than their French or Spanish counterparts, smaller and less colorful, but their existence alone is a sensation, so little known. The caves were discovered in 1951 by the Mongolian geologist Namnandorj, then explored by a Russian-Mongolian expedition in 1967 and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. You can see antelopes, lions, ostriches, mammoths, camels and cranes. The images were partly sketched with flint and painted with reddish-brown ochre on a yellowish-white background.
According to official information, the dates so far range from 15,000 to 40,000 years old. Perhaps they should be updated at some point using the uranium-thorium method. For comparison: The famous rock paintings in the French cave of Lascaux are around 17,000 years old, while those on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi are over 40,000 years old. Very close to the caves we were also able to observe the very rare Mongolian saiga antelopes, which were severely decimated by an epidemic in 2017 and 2018, followed by an extremely harsh winter. We all thought about how little the caves in the Altai have been explored so far and how much there is still to discover here. The whole area was inhabited by human beings for tens of thousands of years.
On the Russian side of the Altai Mountains, archaeologists from the Russian Academy of Sciences, Anatoli Derevianko and Michael Shunkov, discovered a fragment of a girl’s finger bone in 2008. Two years later, following a DNA analysis at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig under the direction of Svante Pääbo, it was possible to assign it to a new, long-extinct human species, the Denisovans, an Asian cousin of the Neanderthals. It would not be surprising if such finds were made on the Mongolian side as well, and another chapter could be added to the history of the origins of man. International cooperation could be very valuable here and send a positive signal in turbulent times and a dangerous global situation.
Mongolia behaves wisely, neutrally and confidently
Meanwhile, Mongolia behaves neutrally between the two centers of power on its northern and southern borders. The country belongs neither to the BRICS states nor to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Its small, multi-ethnic, multilingual and tolerant population is increasingly asserting itself confidently and proudly on the world stage. On our return journey back to Berlin, we wondered whether the leadership of our eastern neighbor in Europe, Ukraine, could not have prevented the war, which is also a proxy war, with such a basic attitude – model Switzerland or model Mongolia, as you like.
BY
Peter Gorenflos is a surgeon in Berlin and, among other things, editor of the Mongolian edition of Karlheinz Deschner’s “God and the Fascists”
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Mongolia is ready to actively cooperate in leading sectors with China www.news.mn

Mongolian Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene has arrived in Shanghai for a working visit to the People’s Republic of China, where he will participate in the VII China International Import Expo. He attended the opening of the VII China International Import Expo today and delivered a speech.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and China. Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene emphasized that the trade turnover of the two countries reached 17.6 billion USD by 2023. He also said that Mongolia is ready to actively cooperate in leading sectors such as mining, agriculture, new energy, infrastructure, advanced technology, tourism, and cultural creative production.
During his visit, Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene is scheduled to hold an official meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Additionally, he is expected to meet with the leadership of Shanghai and Zhejiang Province.
Mongolian Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene reviewed the operations of Huawei, a global leader in technology research and development, which is generating significant interest among participants at the upcoming VII China International Import Expo, set to begin tomorrow in Shanghai, China. Both parties agreed to strengthen their collaboration by establishing a joint working group focused on advancing 5G systems, smart mining transportation, intelligent traffic management, and green energy initiatives.
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MIAT expands partnership with Air China www.ubpost.mn

MIAT Mongolian Airlines has expanded its partnership with China’s national carrier and Star Alliance member, Air China, by signing a joint travel number agreement. This strategic cooperation aims to enhance travel options for passengers between Mongolia and China, improve the integration of both airlines’ flight networks, and provide expanded flight schedule options.
Under this new agreement, MIAT will serve as the marketing carrier for Air China’s Beijing-Ulaanbaatar-Beijing and Hohhot-Ulaanbaatar-Hohhot routes, while Air China will act as the marketing carrier for MIAT’s Ulaanbaatar-Beijing-Ulaanbaatar and Ulaanbaatar-Guangzhou-Ulaanbaatar routes. This arrangement marks a significant step forward in establishing a foundation for future expanded collaboration between the two airlines.
At the signing ceremony, representatives from MIAT and Air China discussed possibilities for further expanding their domestic and international flight networks. They also explored potential collaborations in ground and technical services, underscoring a commitment to broader bilateral cooperation in aviation services.
Air China, which first launched flights to Ulaanbaatar in 1991, has long explored avenues for strengthening ties with MIAT. After years of discussion, the formal agreement was officially signed on November 1, 2024, signaling a new chapter in Mongolia-China air travel and cooperation.
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8-year-olds struggle with chaos in new English language program www.ubpost.mn

In spring of last year, a public controversy erupted on social media concerning a clause in the draft General Law on Education, which stated, “The main foreign language of general education is English”. Responding to the public outcry, the Ministry of Education clarified back then that regardless of the phrasing in the law, English would be formally introduced as a subject starting in the third grade. At that time, former Minister L.Enkh-Amgalan confirmed that in line with curriculum reforms planned as part of the Education Package Law, the Ministry of Education was actively collaborating with relevant international and domestic organizations to adapt Pearson’s English language program for Mongolia. Notably, the ministry had already commenced preparatory steps, including pilot testing of this international program, even as the public discussion surrounding English language education was ongoing in the online sphere.
In specific, in the past year, the Ministry of Education has taken significant steps to implement the international Pearson English language program within the general education system. From January to June of last year, the program was piloted across 38 schools in both urban and rural areas, reaching approximately 30,000 middle school students. In preparation, 120 trainers and 1,600 teachers received training in international English teaching methodologies. Building on this foundational work, the 2023 to 2024 school year saw 140,000 fifth- and sixth-grade students engaged with the e-learning program. In the current 2024 to 2025 academic year, the pilot has expanded to include third, fourth, seventh, and eighth-grade students across 100 additional state schools nationwide. With this expansion, 11.4 percent of Mongolia’s schools are now actively participating in the program. The ministry has announced plans to incorporate the program into a unified English curriculum for grades three through nine by the next academic year. However, to ensure a smooth transition, what key areas should be addressed?
As the Education Ministry expands the Pearson English program to younger grades, parents and teachers have raised valid concerns regarding its effectiveness and implementation. The program, initially tested quietly in middle schools, is now facing scrutiny as it is introduced to third-grade students, where mixed reviews have emerged. Common criticisms from parents include issues with the curriculum’s narrow scope, lack of organization, inconsistency in standards and varying levels of teacher preparedness. Parents feel that the current curriculum lacks coherence and is too limited in scope, focusing heavily on basic reading and vocabulary drills at the expense of a balanced language education. Effective language acquisition ideally emphasizes four core skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. While many young children already engage with English informally through digital content, the curriculum should formalize and structure this learning to address critical gaps, especially in writing and grammar. Parents, particularly those of children already exposed to English, have expressed disappointment that the lessons often reduce to copying words, with minimal integration of listening, speaking and interactive learning.
Another major concern is the level of preparedness among teachers. Many parents report that teachers seem undertrained, which affects their ability to deliver a structured and engaging lesson. Some teachers acknowledge this gap, especially when trying to meet diverse student needs in large, mixed-ability classrooms. Continuous professional development, especially in using the Pearson curriculum effectively, is essential to equip teachers with the skills needed to implement lessons in a structured and accessible manner.
With 35 students per class, there is significant variation in English proficiency levels, ranging from students who are fluent in basic communication to those just learning the alphabet. Parents point out that this disparity leads to uneven learning experiences, with advanced students becoming disengaged while beginners struggle to keep up. Adopting a differentiated instruction approach - where students receive materials and support suited to their individual levels - could help teachers manage the varied abilities within one class. This approach would allow advanced learners to be challenged while giving beginners a more foundational focus.
A mother noted that her son was initially enthusiastic about English lessons but quickly lost interest due to the unstructured and repetitive nature of the coursework. Many students come to class with a basic exposure to English from online sources, and a static curriculum risks turning off their curiosity. Incorporating interactive, multimedia-based activities and culturally relevant content could better engage students, particularly those with some prior exposure to English.
Moreover, the varied skill levels in each class have led to tension between parents. Some feel that the advanced abilities of certain students create an unfair disparity, while others worry that the curriculum is holding their children back. Schools might consider holding informational sessions for parents to explain the program’s approach, address common concerns, and foster a community atmosphere that encourages patience and understanding.
A mother recently also shared her concerns on social media regarding the new approach to English instruction in public schools, which began this year starting from the third grade. She highlighted issues such as ineffective teaching methods and classroom overcrowding, which she believes hinder effective learning. “It’s just a series of mistakes,” she wrote. “How do you teach the alphabet in a classroom setting? At the very least, each letter should be introduced individually through a standardized program. Many parents agree that building a strong foundation is essential.”
The English curriculum introduced by the Ministry of Education, known as the Pearson program, was promoted as a “comprehensive learning platform” that integrates content, tools, assessments and methods powered by advanced technology. Developed by a prominent global company with educational products in over 200 countries, the program combines e-learning and classroom instruction, is aligned with international standards, and includes features to support teacher development and alleviate administrative burdens. Its innovative evaluation methods are also designed to monitor students’ academic progress effectively. In theory, this program was intended to provide English instruction to elementary, middle, and high school students systematically and in line with international standards. However, many have criticized the implementation, arguing that the materials and teaching methods, including the widely used “Rise and Shine” textbooks, lack consistency and fail to deliver on these promises.
English language teaching in secondary schools has taken a path that diverges significantly from global standards. Students in private schools with international programs, often led by foreign teachers and offering rigorous training, exhibit excellent language skills. Certain schools have also effectively localized the Pearson program, adapting it to meet students’ needs. In contrast, English proficiency in public schools remains generally average or poor, influenced by various factors, including limited instruction time, teacher expertise, teaching methods, and materials. This disparity is reflected in Mongolia’s consistent ranking at the lower end of the “English Language Proficiency Index”, as reported by international organizations.
The need for English proficiency in Mongolia is only growing, with a basic understanding of foreign languages and technology now essential for modern professionals. This shift underscores the reality that, regardless of discussions about nationalism or preserving linguistic and cultural identity, aligning with global standards in English education is essential for the nation’s development. To meet these demands, curriculum updates, enhanced teaching quality, and a stronger focus on equipping students with practical language skills are critical. The recent introduction of an international English program is commendable, especially given the increasing importance of global language skills. This initiative represents a step forward, yet feedback from parents and ongoing online discussions highlight areas that require attention. Many believe that without addressing these concerns, the full benefits of the program may remain unrealized.
The General Department of Education has introduced the Pearson program on a trial basis, with a commitment to ongoing improvements in course quality and teacher development. Training for educators is currently underway, and selected schools from various regions - representing a range of social infrastructures and learning environments - are part of this pilot. To establish baseline metrics, initial assessments and placement tests were conducted with students at the start of the program, and the same tests will be repeated at the end of the school year to evaluate progress. This regular evaluation process aims to identify and address any issues promptly, ensuring the program’s effectiveness is consistently enhanced.
In the program’s first rollout across 38 schools, the initial student proficiency rate was measured at 29.3 percent, which rose to 47.4 percent after a post-implementation assessment. These incremental improvements reflect positive early results, though it remains uncertain how much progress can be expected as the program continues, especially among elementary and middle school students.
However, feedback from parents and students, particularly at the elementary level, suggests that there may be areas requiring careful attention. The third-grade introduction to the Pearson program is intended to establish a strong foundation for English language learning, equipping Mongolian students with the skills needed for systematic academic language acquisition from an early age. Given the importance of this foundation, it is essential to be mindful of the program’s content, quality, and teaching methods, ensuring they go beyond the informal English exposure many children receive online. This approach will help foster a deeper, more structured understanding of the language, crucial for long-term proficiency. Educational institutions responsible for implementing new language programs must carefully consider these factors to support students in developing skills that are both meaningful and applicable on a global level.
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Working Group Established to Cooperate with Huawei www.montsame.mn

Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, who is on a visit to the People’s Republic of China to attend the "2024-China International Import Expo" in Shanghai, China, on November 04, 2024, visited Huawei, one of the leading companies in technology research and development.
The Government of Mongolia is implementing the New Revival Policy and making three transitions using technological development. First, to use artificial intelligence-based digital and smart technologies as a development accelerator, second, to make a green development transition, and third, to make a human resources transition, or improve human resources and increase their productivity using modern techniques and technologies.
The Mongolian Government has agreed to cooperate with Huawei in making these transitions, including learning from new technology practices, building smart cities, and training young professionals in the digital energy and other technology sectors. The two parties established a joint working group to cooperate in the areas of the 5G system, mining smart transport, smart traffic, and green energy. The working group is headed by the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communications Baatarkhuu Tsend. Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene noted that cooperation between Mongolia and China should be expanded as a model to other countries.
Huawei provides services to more than 170 countries worldwide in information and communications, cloud AI, green energy, electric vehicles, smartphones, and high-speed 5G and 6G networks. The company has been operating in Mongolia since 2006.
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