Myanmar: Military-appointed Education Minister Directs Arrangements for Private International School Students to Apply to Local Universities Instead of Overseas

Yangon, July 15 The military-appointed Minister of Education, Cho Cho Sein, has instructed that arrangements be made for students from private international schools teaching the international curriculum in Myanmar to apply to domestic universities, rather than pursuing their education at overseas universities. This directive was issued and announced by the minister. The statement was made during a meeting held on July 13 at Office No. 13 of the Ministry of Education in Naypyidaw, attended by representatives from the Private School Supervisory Committee, private colleges, international curriculum schools, and national curriculum schools. Attendees at the meeting included the military-appointed Minister of Education, Cho Cho Sein, Deputy Ministers Zaw Myint and Nay Myo Hlaing, officials from the Ministry of Education, and representatives from private primary education schools, private schools teaching the international curriculum, and private colleges. Minister of Education Cho Cho Sein stated that some private schools under the supervision of the Ministry of Education do not meet the prescribed standards. She declared that the current academic year is designated as a period for preparation for school facilities and new standards, and that necessary renovations must be completed by the upcoming academic year. The minister further stated that private schools must adhere to the prescribed standards for the number of classrooms and school area. She added that the system of admitting more students than a school can accommodate and conducting classes in two shifts will not be accepted in the coming years. Moreover, the military's Minister of Education emphasized that private schools should not focus solely on academic subjects but must also teach subjects such as character building, civic duty, and life skills without any reduction. Cho Cho Sein instructed that schools must implement activities such as singing the national anthem, saluting the national flag, and singing patriotic songs to foster patriotism and good discipline among students. Regarding private school teachers, she announced that starting next year, only those who have completed a 9-month training course will be issued Green Cards. She also stated that student enrollment lists must be accurately submitted to the respective township education offices in accordance with the prescribed enrollment regulations. Subsequently, the military's Minister of Education announced that arrangements are being made to provide students from private international schools teaching the international curriculum with the opportunity to apply to universities within Myanmar, rather than going abroad. However, the military's Minister of Education did not disclose the specific details regarding the admission system, qualification criteria, and examination format by which students educated under the international curriculum will be accepted into domestic universities. During the meeting, the military's Deputy Ministers of Education also discussed matters related to setting private school tuition fees, regulations for subject-specific private tutoring classes, school registration and renewal, teacher appointments, and the preservation of patriotism and culture. Following this, representatives from private schools, international curriculum schools, and private colleges presented and discussed their difficulties and queries, to which the military's Minister of Education provided responses, according to reports from military-affiliated media.