Nay Pyi Taw, May (26)
The military council, which promises to comprehensively develop the entire education sector of the country, is currently trying to control private education and restrict freedom of education, said the educational community.
On May 12, military leader General Min Aung Hlaing signed the Private Education Law, which requires approval for curriculum development and the appointment of teachers.
The private education law, which includes 16 chapters and 82 sections, states that the military council’s supervisory bodies have the authority to set standards for private schools, approve teacher certification, issue certificates for foreign private teacher registration, and approve or deny certificate renewals.
However, the military leader said in the opening speech of the Myanmar National Education Conference 2023 held in Nay Pyi Taw on May 18, that comprehensive education is an important sector in developing countries, and citizens as human resources, should better understand their rights and responsibilities and participate in the education sector.
Although the junta leader says so, in reality, the military council is seriously oppressing the education sector developed by the National Unity Government (NUG), and is also bombing schools in ethnic areas with airplanes.
Secretary of the Basic Education Workers’ Union, Sayar Naung Cho, criticizes that the military leader is working to improve the education sector, but in reality, he is bombing schools, so his words are contrary to his actions.
On the other hand, the military council oppresses school teachers and education staff involved in non-violent Civil Disobedience Movement in various ways and restricts them from working in the private education sector.
However, the military leader said that in the 2023–2024 academic year, 51 technical, agriculture, and livestock high schools will be opened in 50 districts in order to provide long-term guaranteed employment opportunities for MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) that can produce many national products.
Those who have completed KG+9 secondary education will be able to attend the schools that will be opened, and they will be able to learn basic vocational courses in Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12.
A CDM school teacher criticizes the military council’s education system, which inculcates children to learn only certain skills and work with them, limiting the children’s ability to think and leading to the destruction of education.
In addition, he added, children may become less interested in education, and their ability to learn and study may decrease as they are forced to teach subjects related to technology, agriculture, and livestock while they are in basic education.
Currently, the military council has not yet repaired the schools after the very powerful cyclone Mocha in Myanmar, and children are threatened with forced enrollment, and told not to enroll in NUG online schools.
According to the junta Ministry of Education on May 24, over a million students have enrolled in schools across the country for the coming academic year.
News – Than Lwin Times
Photo: MOI
Thanlwintimes