Education System in Myanmar :

Education System in Myanmar :
Self-Evaluation and Future Plans

2. Education Law
All schools in Myanmar abide by the Basic Education Law and all universities and colleges under 13 different Ministries follow the University Education Law.
2.1 Basic Education Law
The Basic Education Law was promulgated in 1964 and repealed in 1973 and amended in 1983 and 1989. In accordance with the existing Basic Education Law, the following educational objectives are set: -
* To enable every citizen of Union of Myanmar to become a physical and mental worker well-equipped with basic education, good health and moral character.
* To lay foundations for vocational education for the benefit of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
* To give precedence to the teaching of science capable of strengthening and developing productive forces
* To give precedence to the teaching of arts capable of preservation and development of culture, fine arts, and literature of the state and
* To lay a firm and sound educational foundation for further pursuance of university education.
2.2 University Education Law
The University Education Law was promulgated in 1964 and repealed in 1973 and amended in 1983, 1989 and 1998. Universities are established in accordance with this existing law. Universities established by this law are categorized into Arts and Science Universities and Professional Institutions. The establishment of Colleges and Academies affiliated to Universities requires the consents of the law. Only the universities founded in compliance with this University Education Law can confer degrees, diplomas, certificates and other university honorary degrees. Preparations are being made to reform the law to be in line with the development of the State.
2.3 Technical, Agricultural and Vocational Education Law
Technical, Agricultural and Vocational Education Law was promulgated in 1974 and amended in 1989. The activities of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education under the Ministry of Science and Technology are based on this existing law.

Panorama of Myanmar Higher Education

2. The Organization Structure and Management of the Education System
There are two main sub-sectors in the education sector – the basic education sub-sector and the higher education sub-sector.

2. 1 Higher Education Sub-Sector
There are 163 higher education institutions in Myanmar. Among them, 66 institutions are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education while 97 institutions are under 12 other ministries. All the higher education institutions are state-financed and they specialize in varied fields such as arts and science, law, economics and business education, teacher education, foreign languages, engineering, computer studies, maritime studies, defence, agriculture, forestry, medicine, nursing, veterinary science and culture and fine arts, etc. and offer a variety of programmes – undergraduate, postgraduate diploma, master’s degree programmes and doctorate programmes. Higher education institutions under the Ministry of Education have also established Centres for Human Resource Development that offer re-education and retraining human resource development programmes ranging from short-term certificate programmes to master’s degree programmes. There are two Departments of Higher Education – one for lower Myanmar and one for upper Myanmar. These two departments are responsible for administration and co-ordination of higher education institutions under the Ministry of Education. Although higher education institutions function under the administration of different ministries, academic and administrative policy matters relating to higher education are managed by the two councils chaired by the Minister for Education. They are:  the Universities’ Central Council, and  the Council of University Academic Bodies. The Universities’ Central Council is principally responsible for the framing of broad policy and co-ordination of the work of higher education institutions while the responsibility of the Council of University Academic Bodies lies in the adoption of academic regulations and co-ordination of academic work. The Council of University Academic Bodies Meeting (1/2012) was held at Myanmar International Convention Centre in Nay Pyi Taw on 27 March, 2012 and the Universities’ Central Council Meeting on 28 March, 2012.

Table 1. Number of Higher Education Institutions under 13 Ministries in 2011-2012 AY

Sr. No	Ministry	Number
1	Education	66
2	Health	15
3	Science & Technology	61
4	Defence	5
5	Culture	2
6	Environmental Conservation and Forestry	1
7	Agriculture & Irrigation	1
8	Livestock Breeding & Fisheries	1
9	Co-operatives	5
10	Union Civil Services Board	1
11	Religious Affairs	1
12	Border Affairs	2
13	Transport	2
Total		163

2.2 The National Education Committee
The Myanmar Education Committee, a national level coordinating decision-making body, was established on 2 September 1991. It was reformed as the National Education Committee on 20 April, 2011. This committee is chaired by the Union Minister for Education, and deputy ministers of the ministries that manage education institutions are members of the committee. The committee facilitates the development of an education system, which is equitable with the traditional, cultural and social values and which is also in keeping with the economic and political aspirations of the nation. The National Education Committee Meeting (1/2012) was held at the Ministry of Education in Nay Pyi Taw on 28 March, 2012.