Private schools not meeting standards may be closed from next academic year, parents warned

■Private schools operating in alleyways that do not meet the standards are likely to be closed from next academic year, so parents need to verify whether schools meet the set standards in addition to their school licenses when enrolling their children. The Ministry of Education has responded to inquiries from some media outlets, stating that private schools that have accepted students exceeding their capacity in terms of school facilities and area, but still lack sufficient classrooms, have been granted a temporary one-year period for rectification. In response to a media outlet's inquiry regarding reports that private schools and schools teaching international curricula that lack student assembly areas and playgrounds, or are located in apartment buildings and individual houses with limited space, will be closed from the 2027-2028 academic year, the Ministry of Education has provided a clarification. Private schools that were permitted to open in the 2026-2027 academic year and have not yet met the standards for school facilities, area, and classroom capacity due to accepting students exceeding their limits, have been granted a temporary one-year period for rectification within the current academic year. The Ministry of Education stated that in the 2027-2028 academic year, district, township, and regional education officers, along with supervisory committees, will inspect schools to determine if they comply with the Ministry of Education's set standards. Only private schools that meet these standards will be granted registration as private schools. It is understood from private school circles that the Ministry of Education is currently conducting inspections of private schools and is assessing the necessary improvements. "Our school has already been inspected. They informed us of the areas that need improvement, and the school is working on them. The main inspection points are whether the number of students and classrooms are sufficient, whether there is adequate parking at the school, whether there is space for students to gather, whether the national anthem is sung, and whether subjects like Myanmar language, geography, and history are taught," said an official from an international school. Therefore, it is necessary for parents to investigate and verify whether the schools they are considering for their children meet the standards set by the Ministry of Education, in addition to having a school license, when enrolling them in the upcoming academic year, according to education circles. "Parents need to check not only if the school has a license but also if it meets the standards set by the Ministry of Education. They should look at factors like playgrounds, assembly areas, and the adequacy of student numbers and classrooms. Furthermore, the Ministry of Education requires checking if the national anthem is sung and if Myanmar language is taught. Parents need to consider these points. If a school does not meet the Ministry of Education's standards after enrollment, and the school is closed, it will be detrimental to parents and children," commented an education expert. Some schools are located in residential alleyways or apartment buildings, failing to meet the required standards and causing traffic congestion during student pick-up and drop-off times, leading to criticism from local residents. "In some places, schools are opened in residential areas or in individual apartment buildings. When school ends, cars cannot move. Drivers have to be careful of the children," said a car driver in Yangon city. To ensure that students' education is not affected and that school fees are not wasted, parents should inquire in advance at their local education office whether the school they intend to enroll their child in for the upcoming academic year meets the standards set by the Ministry of Education, according to a parent. Furthermore, as the Ministry of Education will only permit private schools that meet the set standards to operate from the next academic year, there is a possibility that enrollment in public basic education schools will increase. For private basic education schools teaching the national curriculum and private international schools teaching international curricula, it is stipulated that in the primary level, the floor area per student must be at least 12 square feet, the width of the classroom must be at least 15 feet, and the number of students per classroom must not exceed 40. Similarly, for middle and high school levels, the floor area per student in the classroom must be at least 18 square feet, the width of the classroom must be at least 20 feet, and the number of students per classroom must not exceed 40. Additionally, private basic education schools teaching the national curriculum must salute the national flag and sing the national anthem at the start of daily classes and must adhere to the opening and closing days and teaching schedules of basic education schools operated by the government. Furthermore, private international schools must comply with the provisions of the Private Education Law. They must salute the national flag and sing the national anthem at the start of daily classes. To foster a spirit of union among Myanmar national learners and to preserve Myanmar culture, subjects such as Myanmar language, Myanmar history, and Myanmar geography must be taught according to the curriculum developed by the National Curriculum Committee. In addition, it is included that foreign learners who wish to study Myanmar language in private international schools must be taught Myanmar language according to the curriculum developed by the National Curriculum Committee, which is appropriate for the learner's level. Moreover, private schools must have designated areas within their premises for practical rooms, libraries, gymnasiums, and dining halls, in addition to classrooms.