Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing addresses coordination meeting on the higher education sector
NAY PYI TAW January 17
A coordination meeting on the higher education sector of the Ministry of Education was held at the meeting hall of the ministry in Nay Pyi Taw this morning with an address by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Present were SAC member Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, Joint secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Education Dr Nyunt Pe, Deputy Minister Dr Zaw Myint, the permanent secretary, directors-general, rectors, principals, deputy directors-general, pro rectors and officials.
The Senior General said national education should be prioritized for its promotion.
The education sector is essential for national development. Both the developing and developed countries are giving priority to education. Myanmar is designated as a developing country. The country’s education level was low during the colonial era, and because of internal insurgency, the education sector faced a lot of difficulties during the postindependence period. So, the education level was still low during that time. The rural education sector was weak in states and ethnic areas due to language and transport barriers. The education sector was weak throughout the administration of successive governments because of the lack of teachers and other shortages.
The education sector had advantages and disadvantages during the socialist era, and especially, weakness in English caused difficulties in pursuing higher education to stand shoulder to shoulder with the international countries. When the State Law and Order Restoration Council assumed duties after the 1988 crisis, schools had to be closed for about three years under various circumstances. When the schools were reopened, priority was given more to school attendance than to qualification.
So, both the basic education sector and the higher education sector were weak.
Now the country is implementing the 30-year education plan for education development.
A higher number of educated persons is required for national development. So personnel of the education sector should strive to increase the number of educated persons. Of the country’s 55 million people, only about three million are graduates, meaning that less than ten per cent of the country's population can pursue higher education.
Moreover, over 18 million only reached the primary or middle school level. The government is striving for education sector development as it is imperative for national progress.
Universities are the schools that teach academic creativity.
So they have their level of reputation. They should have a pleasant and magnificent look.
Plans should be made for the beauty of passages, sceneries, environment, compounds and structures. Lecture halls and practical rooms should be arranged systematically for the convenience of students. The teaching skill of the faculty members is also important. They must have the capability to explain the lessons in a comprehensive way, apart from their professional qualifications.
Sports grounds and gymnasiums must be systematically built. Teachers must train their pupils to have good practices, morals, knowledge and creative power. Universities should be the places where students can learn experiences for their life, apart from academic knowledge, and broaden their horizons.
Regarding the education sector, education does not mean rote learning but critical thinking.
Interactive debate and discussion between students and teachers will improve the former’s critical thinking. Teachers themselves need to learn constantly to improve their teaching capability. Myanmar is the lowest among the neighbouring ASEAN countries in terms of national progress. As our country always works hard, both students and teachers need to learn constantly to help improve the education standard.
The government is also helping with physical and psychological development.
As today is the age of information and technology, a lot of things can be learned on the internet. In this context, in-depth learning is necessary. We need to pay attention to our own job and the skills we have learned to lead a valuable life. Focus and respect are different. Those who focus on money follows money while those who pay attention to education pursue education.
Those who emphasize work need to give themselves time to focus on work. Similarly, we need respect and value time. When we do the tasks we are assigned, we must focus on our jobs and respect time. Then, we will be able to finish the tasks in a target period and achieve progress.
Teachers need to teach their students until they really become skilful. If the students become motivated to read and learn a lot, their education will surely improve.
When it comes to management, teachers usually work with interest, goodwill and sacrifice.
This is why we have increased their allowances depending on their qualification and will continue to increase. If academic matters concern teachers only and management concerns those who are only responsible for the management, matters of administration and management will go smooth. Refresher courses are required for teachers in respective subjects to be able to be familiar with new and changing lessons.
As regards budget spending, it should be in line with the financial rules and laws. Money spending must be balanced manner. In the administration sector also, there must be fairness while goodwill is necessary for whatever job is done.
Later, the Senior General cordially greeted the rectors, principals and others in attendance.