Education discussed at a Development Conference in Myanmar

©MM. San

A three-day conference on Development Policy Options in Myanmar dedicated one day to educational development in the country. Presentations and discussions were on educational progress and challenges, the priority area of basic education and strengthening higher and vocational education.

Gwang-Jo Kim, Director UNESCO Bangkok, shared the Republic of Korea country experience as good development practice excelling in global rankings of international Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) assessments. Mr. Kim highlighted the equity in access to education and the great expansion of educational opportunities in South Korea within few decades. 

The average length of education has evolved from seven years in the 1970s to 13 years in 2002 (25-64 year-olds).  Growing public investment targeted the attainment of universal education with a sequential expansion first in primary education, then since the 1970s in secondary school and since the 1990 focusing on higher education. Policy measures included a strong remuneration scheme and education for teachers. The development was highly strategized by the South Korean government since the first five-year development plan in 1962, and led the country into the 21st century knowledge-based economy. 

Mr Kim also moderated the session on higher and vocational education in Myanmar with panel speakers Dr. Myo Thein Gyi, Deputy Director General for Higher Education (Lower Myanmar), Ministry of Education, Dr. Thein Myint, Vice-President, Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science (MAAS), Wolfgang Kubitzki, Principal Social Sector Economist, Asian Development Bank, Dr. Piniti Ratananukul, Deputy Secretary-General, Office of the Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Thailand, Dr. Zaw Min Aung, Director General, Department of Technical and Vocational Education, Ministry of Science and Technology and Dr. Sasithara Pichaichannarong, Permanent Secretary and Secretary-General, Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), Ministry of Education, Thailand. The session was closed by H.E. Prof. U Ba Shwe, Union Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education.

The three-day conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the United Nations Country Team in Myanmar.
  
 Focusing on policy options, priorities and institutional reforms to accelerate human development in Myanmar, around 600 participants analyzed and discussed main issues, explored critical shortfalls and shared experiences from Asian countries to inspire on development options for the country. 

In his opening remarks, H.E. Vice-President Dr. Sai Mauk Kham spoke about the need for increased investment in social sectors and the strengthening of ties with the international community.

“As we all are aware that more investment in education and health sector will lead to more development of the nation,” he said. 

Government representatives, national and international experts, private sector, civil society organizations  and NGOs, media, academia, diplomatic missions in Myanmar, bilateral aid agencies, International Financial Institutions and UN Agencies participated in the event.

Since the new government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar assumed office in March 2011, a number of national initiatives have promoted the dialogue on human development in Myanmar. The Government has since then held a number of discussions on a wide range of emerging development issues in the country.

More information at: 
 unic.un.org/imucms/yangon/80/1015/dpo-conference-naypyitaw-13-15-feb-2012.aspx