Myanmar: Myanmar Education Profile

The educational system of Burma is operated by the government Ministry of Education. Universities and professional institutes from upper Burma and lower Burma are run by two separate entities, the Departments of Higher Education (Lower Burma and Upper Burma), 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 Burma. 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 Burma, 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 Burma 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, Burma 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 Burma education was reaching an international standard and the government had fully entitled to 156 universities and colleges in Burma.

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

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 the age of 5 (not younger than 4 Years and 8 months at the time of schools commencement date). Primary, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Schools in Burma 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

Notable High Schools

Public

* Mayangone 2 (St. John School)
* Bahan 2
* Botataung 6
* Dagon 1
* Dagon 2
* Kamayut (2) ( St. Augustine )
* Lanmadaw 1
* Lanmadaw 2
* Latha 1
* Latha 2
* St. Patrick School, Mawlamyaing
* Sangyoung 2
* No.8 Basic Education High School in Mandalay former St. Joseph's Convent)
* No.9 Basic Education High School in Mandalay (former St. Peters High School)
* TTC
* Botataung 5

Private

* Yangon International Educare Center (YIEC)
* ILBC [International Language and Business Centre]
* International School Yangon
* Myanmar International Ed. Services
* Yangon International Ed. Center
* Horizon International Education Center

List of universities in Burma

There are 101 universities, 12 institutes, 9 degree colleges and 24 colleges in Myanmar, the total 146 higher education.

There are one sport academy, 10 Technical Training School, 23 nursing training school and 20 midwifery school.

The following list is of higher education institutes in 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
* Mawlamyaing University,
* Meikhtila Institute of Economics,
* Meikhtila University,
* Monywa Institute of Economics,
* Monywa University,
* Myeik University, Mergui,
* Myitkyina University,
* Myanmar Institute of Theology
* Panglong University,
* Kyaukse University,
* Pathein University,
* Pyay University,
* Sittway University,
* Taunggyi University,
* Taungoo University,
* 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
* Hpa-an Education College, Hpa-An
* Keng Tung Degree College, Keng Tung,
* Kyaukse Education College
* Lashio Degree College,
* Magway Education Colleg
* 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

Instituted of Higher Education in Myanmar

Kachin State

* Myitkyina University
* Myitkyina Education College
* Myitkyina Government Technical College
* 4.Myitkyina Government Computer College
* Bhamo Degree College
* Bhamo Government Computer College
* Bhamo Degree Technical College

Kayah State

* Loikaw College
* Loikaw Government Computer College
* Loikaw Government Technical College

Kayin State

* Hpa An University
* Hpa An Education College
* 13.Hpa An Government Technical College
* 14. Hpa An Government Computer College

Chin State

* 15. Kalay Degree College
* 16. Kalay Government Computer College
* 17. Kalay Government Technical College

Sagaing Division

* 18. Monywa University
* 19. Monywa Institute of Economic
* 20. Monywa Education College
* 21. Monywa Government Technical College
* 22. Monywa Government Computer College
* 23. Shwebo Degree College
* 24. Sagaing Institute of Education
* 25. Sagaing Regional Co-operative College
* 26. Sagaing Education College
* 27. University for Development of National Races

Taninthayi Division

* 28. Dawei University
* 29. Dawei Government Computer College
* 30. Dawei Government Technical College
* 31. Dawei Education College
* 32. Myeik University
* 33. Myeik Government Computer College
* 34. Myeik Government Technical College

Bago Division

* 35. University of Taungoo
* 36. Taungoo Government Computer College
* 37. Taungoo Government Technical College
* 38. Taungoo Education College
* 39. Pyay University
* 40. Pyay Technologial University is a sister university of Yangon Technological University
* 41. Pyay Education College
* 42. Pyay Government Technical College
* 43. Bago Degree College

Magway Division

* 44. Magway University
* 45. Magway Education College
* 46. Institute of Medicine, Magway
* 47. Magway Government Technical College
* 48.Magway Government Computer College
* 49.Pakokku University
* 50.Pakokku Education College
* 51. Pakokku Government Computer College
* 52. Pakokku Government Technical College
* 53. Yenangyaung College
* 54. Institute of Community Health

Mandalay Division

* 55. Mandalay University
* 56. Mandalay University of Computer Studies
* 57. Mandalay University of Distance Education
* 58.Manadalay University of Foreign Languages
* 59. Meikhtila University
* 60. Meikhila Education College
* 61. Meikhtila Government Technical College
* 62.Meikhtila Government Computer College
* 63. Meikhila Institute of Economic
* 64. Mandalay Education College
* 65. Mandalay University of Medicine
* 66. Mandalay Institute of Dental Medicine
* 67. Mandalay Institute of Nursing
* 68. Institute of Paramedical Science, Mandalay
* 69. Defence Services Technological College
* 70. [[University of Culture [Mandalay] ]]
* 71. Mandalay Government Technical College
* 72. Mandalay Government Computer College
* 73. [[Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College [Mandalay] ]]
* 74.Kyaukse University
* 75.Kyaukse Government Technical College
* 76. Yadanarbon University[citation needed], ()
* 77.Manadalay Technological University
* 78.Institute of Medicine, Manadalay
* 79. Defence Service Academy, Pyin Oo Lwin
* 80. Defence Defence Services Institute of Technology, Pyin Oo Lwin
* 81. Institute of Forestry
* 82. Yezin Agriculture University
* 83.Institute of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
* 84.Manadalay Regional Co-operative College
* 85. Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University
* 86. University of Traditional Medicine, Manadalay

Mon State

* 87.Mawlamyaing University
* 88.Mawlamyaing Education College
* 89. Mawlamyaing Government Technical College
* 90. Mawlamyaing Government Computer College

Shan State

* 91. Taunggyi University
* 92. Taunggyi Education College
* 93. Ayetharyar Government Technical College
* 94. Taunggyi Government Computer College
* 95. Keng Tung Degree College
* 96. Keng Tung Government Computer College
* 97. Keng Tung Government Technical College
* 98. Lashio Degree College
* 99. Lashio Government Computer College
* 100. Lashio Government Technical College

Yangon Division

* Central Co-operative College, Phaunggyi
* Dagon University
* Defence Services Institute of Medicine
* Defence Services Institute of Nursing
* Hlegu Education College
* International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University
* Myanma Marinetime University
* Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College, Yangon
* Thanlyin Government Technical College
* Thingangyun Education College
* University of Computer Studies, Yangon ()
* University of Culture, Yangon, ()
* University of Dental Medicine,Yangon ()
* University of East Yangon
* University of Medicine-1, Yangon()
* University of Medicine-2, Yangon, ()
* University of Nursing,Yangon ()
* University of West Yangon
* Worker's College
* Yangon Co-operative Degree College,Thanlyin
* Yangon Government Computer College
* Yangon Institute of Economics, ()
* Yangon Institute of Education
* Yangon Technological University, ()
* University of Yangon ()
* Yangon University of Distant Education, ()
* Yangon University of Foreign Languages, ()
* Yangon Institute of Marine Technology, ()
* Yangon University of Para-medical Science, ()
* Yangon University of Phamacy, ()
* Yankin Education College

Rakhine State

* 132. Sittwe University
* 133. Sittwe Government Technical College
* 134. Sittwe Government Computer College
* 135. Kyauk Phyu Eduacation College

Ayeyawady Division

* 136. Pathein University
* 137. Pathein Government Computer College
* 138. Pathein Eduacation College
* 139. Pathein Government Technical College
* 140. Hinthada University
* 141. Hinthada Government Computer College
* 142. Hinthada Government Technical College
* 143. Bogalay Eduacation College
* 144. Myaungmya Eduacation College