Identify current educational issues related to two of the following areas: philosophy, history, teaching & learning, curriculum and social aspects of education

             

A brief history of current education system in Myanmar should here be presented and how it has gradually been developing in 21^st century and how it is attempt to appear in this paper.

            Having known, Myanmar has been governed by military regime since 1962. In Myanmar, people received a traditional Buddhist education in the pre-colonial period. Under British colonial rule, the school system and curricula were changed to support British rule what people called ‘colonial education’. After independence in 1948, it was changed from colonial education to national education. In 1962, after a military coup it was changed again from national education to so-called ‘socialist’ education. It was a starting point of changing the system of education in Myanmar.   It is unacceptable issue happening in Myanmar that Children in rural areas as well as children of poor families in the cities have little chance to attend school because of lack of schools and economic deprivation. The dropout rate from school is still very high. So, many of children are still not sent to schools in order them to reach their goals. How poor they are!

          According to a recent study Thein, Lwin. (2003) almost 40 percent of children never attend school and almost three-quarters fail to complete primary education. There is a different reckoning on the adult literacy rate between the regime and other sources. It is unbelievable announcement that the regime claim the literacy rate is more than 80 percent while other estimates put it at much less than that number. The regime argues that children learn reading and writing at Buddhist monasteries although they do not attend public school. It is true to some extent that the regime allows Buddhist monasteries to open primary schools. Children learn reading, writing and Buddhism. With regard to functional literacy, however, which is required for workers to work efficiently with appropriate skills in agriculture, industry or other sectors.  In my point of view, Children need at least nine years of compulsory education. it is has to be done in order them to improve skills.  

              On the wave of Democratization,   today’s public schools are still extremely poor in terms of equity, quality and efficiency. It is indeed that Schools do not treat students equally. Many teachers enter the classroom without proper training.

               On the other hand, Curriculum is still textbook based and is just concerned with memorizing facts in science, history, geography and so on.  Another important thing to change in Myanmar is that Teachers use an authoritative role in teaching. Actually, it needs to be changed.  It is still in a similar position as if it was under the military regime. It seems that the regime has been using education as a political tool by preventing children from learning how to think critically and logically. As a result of that, children do not still have confidence enough when they face some problems in the field of education as well as outside of the world.

                So, many people thanks to Buddhist monks, for children who never enrolled in secular schools can still learn in monasteries. Therefore, these children have chance to learn reading, writing, math, sciences, history and geography as well as Buddhism. In this case, it should here be clarified that mentioned above subjects are taught by mostly lay-people who give the children free education in monasteries. Few monks can teach secular subjects to the children.  Fortunately, Monastic schools are officially allowed to provide primary education by the regime under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Some monastic schools have expressed interest in expending to the secondary level. Therefore, monastic education still plays an important role in Myanmar.

             However, monastic schools must not provide education beyond the fifth grade accounted by the Government. As far as I know, only two monastic schools, one in Mandalay and one in Rangoon are permitted to provide secondary education. It is likely that monastic schools are supported by Buddhist communities and the regime does not need to use its budget.  Now, it has already been changed and now the educators in Myanmar are trying in order to build new implementation in education.

                  Another social aspect in Myanmar is that there are some private schools operating in the city of Rangoon.  Children do not receive quality education in the public schools. Therefore, parents want to send their children to private schools with qualified local and western teachers. However, School fees are high. So, only wealthy people can send their children to such schools. There are huge discrepancies between the children of different social classes in pursuing their education. The private schools mostly focus on mastery of the English language.  There are huge discrepancies between the children of different social classes in pursuing their education. The private schools mostly focus on mastery of the English language.

         In conclusion, the current education system in Myanmar is still extremely poor in terms of equity, quality and efficiency. However, it is now a starting point of issue in education as we see the reform process in Myanmar.

 References

·        Thein, Lwin.(2000).  Education in Burma .Yangon.

·        Thein, Lwin.(2003). Learning in a Democracy. Yangon.

·     Khin, Nyunt.(1992). Suppression of Educational Freedoms in Burma: Censorship News No.18.

·     Han, Tin. (1994). Education for All: Myanmar’s country report submitted to EFA expert meeting, Jomtine, the Myanmar National Commission for UNESCO. Yangon.