Information about Education In Myanmar

Education in Myanmar

Educational oversight Minister	Ministry of Education, Dept of Higher Education Dr. Chan Nyein,
National education budget	1.2% of GDP [1] (2005), K32 Billions kyats[2](2003) ()
Primary languages	Myanmar, English
National system Established	1910
Literacy (2005)  • Men  • Women	89.7% 93.7% 86.2%
Enrollment  • Primary  • Secondary  • Post-secondary	8,092,510 SEAMEO Statistics 4,948,198 2,589,312 550,000
Attainment  • Secondary diploma  • Post-secondary diploma	? ?
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The educational system of Myanmar is operated by the government Ministry of Education. Universities and professional institutes from upper Myanmar and lower Myanmar are run by two separate entities, the Departments of Higher Education (Lower Myanmar and Upper Myanmar), whose office headquarters are based in Yangon and Mandalay respectively. The education system is based on the United Kingdom's system, due to nearly a century of British and Christian presences in Myanmar. Nearly all schools are government-operated, but recently, there has been an increase in privately funded schools (which specialise in English). Schooling is compulsory until the end of elementary school, probably about 9 years old, while the compulsory schooling age is 15 or 16 at international level.

The literacy rate of Myanmar, according the UNESCO Institute of Statistics (2005) stands at 89.7% (males: 93.7%, females: 86.2%), although there is dispute over the accuracy of the provided literacy rates. The annual budget allocated to education by the government is low; only about 1.2% is spent per year on education. English is taught as a second language from Kindergarten.

Most of the early foreign high schools since 1860 (such as La Salle schools) in Myanmar were nationalised on April 1, 1965 after the order restoration of general Ne Win. However, its monopoly still remains popular.

History

When Burma gained independence in 1948, the government sought to create a literate and educated population, and Burma was believed to be on its way to become the first Asian Tiger in the region. However, military dictatorship took hold in 1962 and Burma became an isolated and impoverished nation. All schools were nationalised and education standards began to fall. Through many changes in education systems during the socialist regime, Myanmar government uses schools as propagandist machine. Due to students' protest of 8888 Uprising, all universities were closed around Burma for 2 years. Since 1990s, new structure of education system was weak as government faced crisis to universities' clash and set up a 6th months term for an academic year. The SPDC government arranged irregular commencement dates for universities and colleges, however, students were still in que and clash. Another series of students' strike in 1996 and 1998 resulted in another 3 years of closure. After the re-opening of universities and colleges in 1999, the government scattered universities in different regions. The relocation of certain universities were made under relative ministries. New system had been made that the university term was shortened by one year, providing a bachelor degree for just three year course. However, improvement were rapidly made despite the early disturbances. In 2005, the Ministry of Foreign affiars officially announced that Myanmar education was reaching an international standard and the government had fully entitled to 156 universities and colleges in Myanmar.

Today, Myanmar lags far behind in terms of educational standards. Once at its zenith in the region, Myanmar today has well-trained qualified teachers[3], though very little resources, and aging materials. Many universities have been built & scattered throughout cities to prevent students from potential unrest.

Myanmar Education System

Ph.D.		Years 6-9
Master's or M.B.B.S.		Years 5-6
University	degree-oriented	Years 3-4
	regional college	Years 1-2
Upper secondary		Standards 9-10
Lower secondary		Standards 6-8
Primary		Standards 1-5
Kindergarten		K1-K3
Note: Engineering takes 6 year study and Distance Learning degrees last five years in length, while Medicine is a six and half year long study, with a separate degree.

Preschool and Kindergarten

Preschools are opened for children over 2 years of age and they are in extensive care or public systems. Kindergarten starts from Year 5 (not younger than 4 Years and 8 months at the time of schools commencement date). Primary, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Schools in Myanmar are under the Department of Basic Education. The official commencement date for those schools is 1st of June.

Primary education

Primary education is officially compulsory, although many children do not attend. It lasts five years, and to continue onto secondary school, students must pass a comprehensive examination of basic subjects.

Secondary education

Secondary education is divided into Middle Schools (standards 6 - 8), and upon passing the Basic Education Standard VIII Examination, students continue onto High Schools, which cover standards 9 -10. At the end of standard 10, students must pass the Basic Education Standard X Examination (matriculation exam.) in order to receive their diplomas. Those, who pass six subjects with substantially higher scores, continue their tertiary education at the Institutes of Medicine in Yangon or Mandalay or Magway. Students who do pass the matriculation examination receive either Diploma A or Diploma B. Those with Diploma A are allowed to continue their educations at university.

Secondary schools are usually combined, containing both middle and high schools. Children of military personnel and those with military connections are often given easier access to the more prestigious secondary schools. There is much corruption in educational equality.

Tertiary education

See High Schools in Myanmar

List of universities in Myanmar

The following list is of higher education institutes in Myanmar (formerly Burma):

'Tekkatho'

• Dagon University, ()
• Dawei University, ()
• Defense Services Academy, Pyin-Oo-Lwin, ()
• East Yangon University
• Hinthada University, Henzada, ()
• Hpaan University, ()
• Kalay University, Pyidawtha, ()
• Loikaw University, ()
• Magway University, ()
• Magway University of Medicine, ()
• Mandalay Institute of Technology, ()
• Mandalay University, ()
• Mandalay University of Computer Science, ()
• Mandalay University of Distance Education
• Mandalay University of Foreign Languages
• Mandalay University of Medicine, ()
• Maubin University http://www.mofa.gov.mm/news/july24_maubin.html, ()
• Mawlamyaing University, ()
• Meikhtila Institute of Economics, ()
• Meikhtila University, ()
• Monywa Institute of Economics, ()
• Monywa University, ()
• Myeik University, Mergui, ()
• Myitkyina University, ()
• Myanmar Institute of Theology
• Pakokku University, ()
• Panglong University, ()
• Kyaukse University, ()
• Pathein University, ()
• Pyay University, ()
• Sittway University, ()
• Taunggyi University, ()
• Taungoo University, ()
• West Yangon University
• Yadanarbon University , ()
• Yangon Institute of Economics, ()
• Yangon Institute of Marine Technology, ()
• Yangon Institute of Nursing, ()
• Yangon Technological University, ()
• Yangon University, ()
• Yangon University of Culture, ()
• Yangon University of Dental Medicine, ()
• Yangon University of Distant Education, ()
• Yangon University of Foreign Languages, ()
• Yangon University of Computer Studies, (UCSY), ()
• Yangon University of Medicine-1, ()
• Yangon University of Medicine-2 (North Okklar), ()
• Yangon University of Para-medical Science, ()
• Yangon University of Phamacy, ()
• Yezin University of Agriculture, ()
• Yezin University of Forestry ()
• Yezin Institute of Veterinary Science, Pyinmana, ()

'Colleges and Education Institutions'

• Bago Degree College, ()
• Bhamo Degree College, ()
• Dawei Education College
• Hlegu Education College
• Hpaan Education College, Hpa-An
• Kyainge Tong Degree College, Kengtong, ()
• Kyaukse Education College
• Lashio Degree College, ()
• Magway Education College
• Mandalay Education College
• Mawlamyaing Education College
• Meikhtila Education College
• Mohnyin Degree College, Mohnyin Township, Kachin State, ()
• Monywa Education College
• Myaung Mya Education College
• Myingyan Degree College
• Myitkyina Education College
• Pakokku Education College
• Pathein Education College
• Sagaing Institute of Education
• Sagaing Education College
• Shwebo Degree College, ()
• Taungoo Education College
• Taunggyi Education College
• Thingangyun Education College, Thingangyun Township, Yangon
• Workers' College
• Yangon Institute of Education
• Yankin Education College, Yankin Township, Yangon
• Yenanchaung Degree College

References

• UNESCO Education in Myanmar. UNESCO. Retrieved 13 February 2006.
• Yangon University of Computer Studies

External links

• Ministry of Education (MOE)
• ASEAN University Network