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EduCentre
MONTHLY Education PULLOUT - JANUARY 2017
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There are 6.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Myanmar, compared to 11.9 in Vietnam, 19.5 in Singapore and 23 in Japan. (Source: World Health Organization)
Universities and training schools under the Department of Medical Science include: 5 medical universities, 2 dental medicine, 1 public health,
1 community health, 2 nursing, 2 medical technology, 2 pharmacy, 1 traditional medicine. There are also a number of midwife and nursing training
schools around the country. (Source: Ministry of Health and Sports, November 2014)
Starting this month, EduCentre takes a look at whats out there for school leavers seeking higher education. What are the
top careers? What are the options on these disciplines meaning, which university/college, which country? What are the
qualifications required? Costs in fees, accommodation, etc. And much more. We kick off the series in this issue with medicine
still a much sought after career.
Its a reputable job and well paid indeed, if you are in the right place. But are you
ready for the gruelling hours in medic school and afterwards, and ready to cope
with the stressful working hours?
Phyo Wai Kyaw
sk anyone in Myanmar
what is the most lucrative
career one could have and
the spontaneous answer usually
is the medical profession, because
the perception is one can expect a
handsome income and, quite likely,
job security for life.
Along with other highly paid
professions like engineering,
accountancy, investment banking
or law, a medical career is often one
of the top choices across the world.
And, it is no exception in Myanmar.
Be it a general physician, surgeon
or a dentist, in many countries
doctors are often well paid. So too
those employed in other areas
of healthcare. No wonder then
that many parents dream of their
children pursuing a career in the
medical profession.
In reality, it can be difficult to
even qualify for it. The present
academic system here stipulates
that a student must obtain between
80 and 90 marks out of a hundred
in each of the six subjects in their
matriculation examination to have
a chance of entering a medical
university. And its even tougher
for girls who need to obtain higher
scores than boys, according to the
system.
Getting a seat in a medical
institute is only the first hurdle.
Passing the stringent exams with
high scores is another challenge
and they must be prepared to be
posted to any part of the country to
serve internships as required by the
government.
Currently, under the Ministry
of Health, there are 5 medical
universities, dental medicine (2),
Dentists have to impart knowledge about dental care to both urbanites and villagers. Photos: Hlaing Kyaw Soe
c.santiago@mmtimes.com
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A better-trained healthcare professional has a better chance to succeed in the medical career.
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13 ministries, including the Ministry of Education, are conducting technical and vocational education training (TVET) courses at 247 training schools
and more than 210 courses on 16 types of TVET are being launched by the private sector. (Source: tvetmyanmar.org)
For out-of-school children and youth, Education for Youth (E4Y) offers prevocational education and vocational training courses in five professional fields:
commercial assistant, cabinet maker, metal worker, electrician, and hotel and gastronomy assistant. (Source: tvetmyanmar.org)
The education system needs a major overhaul in vocational training to produce skilled workers. Photo: Supplied
Malarvili Meganathan
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British
Council
on the
education
reforms
British Councils Director Education Lynne Heslop (left) and Director English Ginny Rowlands. Photo: Nyan Zay Htet
Yangon library is a haven for study and open dialogue. Photo: Nyan Zay Htet
he government has
given education top
priority. On its part,
the British Council has been
very supportive of the positive
initiatives and is keen to
share its expertise to improve
education here.
The government has placed
education reform as one of its
top priorities and they are trying
to move ahead quickly. They
believe in the transformative
impact of education on social
and economic development,
and the ability of education
to change peoples lives for
the better, said Lynne Heslop,
British Councils Director
Education.
We are very supportive of the
governments priorities and 100day plans. The British Council is
working with every department
on teacher education, higher
education, technical/vocational
education, basic education and
curriculum development.
I think the government has
made a very good start because
it enables them to focus on
the priorities and to make
some headway early on. We
understand the challenges the
government faces to reform
Myanmars education system
and the UK is deeply committed
to do whatever it can in the
areas that we can offer some
help or expertise.
I think there is a strong desire
in this government to really
make progress and to show
results quickly. And theres a
real strong impetus to get things
done, which we are very happy
to respond to.
We see our work in education
as a mutual partnership. By
linking UK and Myanmar
education, there are benefits on
both sides. Both Myanmar and
the UK have shared needs to
ensure that our young people
reach their potential and are
ready to live full, happy and
peaceful lives in a globally
connected world.
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Yangon Teaching Centre provides courses for primary and secondary students as well as young adults at all levels
of language proficiency. Photo: Supplied
British Councils EfECT project provides training for teacher educators. Photo: Supplied
Libraries
Yangon Library
Who can apply: anyone
How to apply: bring identification card, two passport-sized photos
(also, original logo for corporate membership)
Membership fee: individual (K25,000), express (K5000), family
(K40,000), corporate (K100,000)
Opening hours: Mondays-Fridays 8:30am-6pm, Saturdays 9am-6pm,
Sundays 9am-1pm
Mandalay Library
Who can apply: anyone
How to apply: bring identification card, two passport-sized photos
(also, original logo for corporate membership)
Membership fee: individual (K15,000), family (K30,000), corporate
(K70,000)
Opening hours: Mondays-Fridays 9am-6pm, Saturdays 9am-4:30pm
Outreach Programs
Mobile Libraries: provide resources to 15 monastic
school libraries in Yangon suburbs; assisted by
volunteers, teachers and host librarians
Millennium Centres: provide resources and
professional advice to 19 remote learning centres in
Bagan, Dawei, Hakha, Hpaan, Inle, Kalay, Keng Tung,
Lashio, Loikaw, Mandalay, Mawlamyine, Meiktila,
Myaungmya, Myitkyina, Pathein, Pyin Oo Lwin, Sittwe,
Tamu and Taunggyi; each mini-library/resource
centre open to public for negligible monthly/annual
membership fee
Reading Challenge: encourage sixth and seventh
graders at public schools to make own book selection,
maximise reading potential and help discover reading
pleasure; since 2014
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An Explanatory Note
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Exercise 1
Match the words with their definitions.
1
2
3
4
5
remote
crew
rescue
navy
bill
Exercise 2
Now use the five words to fill the gaps in the
sentences below.
Word search
Exercise 3
Complete the
missing letters and
then find the words
in the grid. They
can be horizontal,
vertical, diagonal
and backwards.
RESCUE
A_HI_VEM_N_S
H_MA_I_Y
A_V_NT_RE
IS_LA_ED
C_UR_G_
M_U_T_IN
E_PL_R_
R_M_T_
H_AD_IN_
Joke teacher
Question: What do you give to a sick lemon?
Answer: Lemonade.
This English joke works because of words that sound the same
in English. When you say lemonade, it is pronounced in the
same way as lemon aid. This double meaning is known as a
pun or a play on words. Can you find the double meaning in
this next joke?
Question: Why should you never play cards in the jungle?
Answer: Because of all the cheetahs.
Answers
5 navy
5c
4 remote
4a
3 bill
3b
2 rescue
2d
1 crew
1e
Ex 1
Ex 2
5 False
4 True
3 False
2 True
1 False
Ex 3
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Pre-reading task
1 Before you read the text, match the expressions with their correct meanings in the vocabulary section
in the right-hand column (Exercise 1).
Now read the article.
Change management
by Graham Bradford
Word search
P A
R C
N Q
Q O A
D O
A W O
A M W Z
D W
B P
Z E
N A
U T
O M W
Q I
O O
W T
C O M G M
BUSINESS
ORGANIS_TI_N
COMPET_T_R
T_AM
DEVELOPM_NT
THINK_NG
EMPLOY_E
TRADITION_L
G M W P
V N
INFORM_T_ON
VIS_ON
P O B M E
M W A
B U
A J
1. d; 2. f; 3. b; 4. e; 5. a; 6. g; 7. c
Ex 1
K R
embrace change
take a turn for the worse
traditional indicators
external environment
top down
implementation of change
lifelong learning
Exercise 2
Choose the correct words to fill the gaps in the
sentences.
achieve / change / learning / vision / embrace /
individuals / indicators / organisation / lifelong
The rate of [1] ........ in the business world is
always increasing. Charles Handy suggests
that companies should not wait for [2] ........
such as poor sales to tell them that change is
necessary. A company should [3] ........ change
when it is doing well. Professor Senger says that
[4] ........ organisations are better at embracing
change. Such organisations share five
factors: employees embrace [5] ........ learning;
employees are encouraged to question all
aspects of the companys [6] ........; the vision
of the companys future should be something
that all employees wish to [7] ........; employees
need to learn as teams, not as [8] ........; and wide
[9] ........ across all sectors of an organisation is
required.
Answers
J O W T
Exercise 1
Ex 2
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Basic education schools: 2007-08 (39,398), 2008-09 (39,421), 2009-10 (39,445), 2010-11 (39,519), 2011-12 (39,722), 2012-13 (39,947), 2013-14 (43,181)
Teachers: 2007-08 (259,332), 2008-09 (261,472), 2009-10 (265,369), 2010-11 (273,346), 2011-12 (277,644), 2012-13 (280,090), 2013-14 (281,759)
Students: 2007-08 (7,776,148), 2008-09 (7,763,086), 2009-10 (7,851,003), 2010-11 (7,885,220), 2011-12 (7,993,955), 2012-13 (8,179,549), 2013-14 (8,597,348) (Source: Ministry of Education, 2014)
Compared to 39,100 basic education schools, 216,039 teachers and 6,906,065 students in 2001-02, there were 43,181 basic education schools (10.4% increase), 281,759
teachers (30.4% increase), and 8,597,348 students (24.5% increase) in 2013-14. Most of the schools (nearly 90%) exist in rural areas of the country. (Source: Ministry of Education, 2014)
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At the ATM
The ATM is a great place to start
teaching kids about money. You could
explain to your child that the ATM
holds the money you have made by
working hard and saving. It is not just
a hole in the wall where money comes
out.
When you withdraw money out of
the ATM, it is taken from your bank
account and youll have less in your
account to spend later.
At the supermarket
When buying items at the
supermarket, you can explain to your
kids how items are priced and that you
can get cheaper or more expensive
versions of the same product. This is
also an opportunity to discuss how
you can shop around for the best price.
You could get them to compare
prices for you and pick the cheapest
one. If they want a particular brand
then explain the price difference to
them.
Paying bills
If you receive bills in the mail or
online, this can be an opportunity to
explain that electricity or your internet
connection costs money. You could
explain that to pay a $150 power bill
it took you so many days at work to
earn the money. This will help create
a connection between time spent at
work and money, as well as the fact
that electricity and the internet cost
your family money. It might also make
them think twice about leaving lights
and appliances on.
Doing a budget
Involving your kids in discussions
about your family budget is another
way you can talk to your children
about money. This helps give them the
big picture about costs and spending.
By explaining how much money
your family has to spend every week
IN Thandar Oo wakes up
at 6am every morning to
do her daily marketing.
For the next two hours, her mornings
are quite hectic as she prepares her
regular chores, including breakfast
for the family and lunch box for her
young kid.
At 8am, the child is already at a
preschool not far from where the
family resides.
The dutiful housewife from Maha
Private preschools are competing among each other to give extra services as much as they can.
Photo: Than Naing Soe
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To date, 159 private schools have been opened in 10 regions/states and Nay Pyi Taw. Out of 46,665 private school students, the number of high school
students is 58.1%, middle school 27.2% and primary school 14.7%. Due to smaller class size (about 30 students) and student-teacher ratio (15:1 on average),
private school students receive more personal attention from teachers. (Source: Department of Basic Education, 2014)
Yangon: private schools 57, teachers 1183, students 15,601 Mandalay: private schools 46, teachers 1250, students 11,213
Nay Pyi Taw: private schools 4, teachers 79, students 1178 (Source: Department of Basic Education, 2014)
Si Thu Lwin
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Students from Myanmar International School Yangon visiting The Myanmar Times office. Photo: Naing Lin Soe
Education in Brief
Lae Phyu Pya Myo Myint and Ei Shwe Phyu
Inauguration of the French International School of Yangon
The new French International School of Yangon Joseph Kessel was inaugurated on
October 17. Created in 1993, the French School is now joining the vast French School
Network that reunites 495 schools and about 342,000 students in 137 countries.
The school in Yangon is welcoming 100 students from 25 different nationalities and
is planning to grow bigger providing a bilingual (French-English) world class education
from toddlers to high school students. The aim is to make them benefit from the French
academic excellence and prepare them for further studies in the best universities in France,
Myanmar and around the world.
Youth Event at Foster Education Foundation
Foster Education Foundation held its Youth and Future Educational Choice event at
Sanchaung townships Coffee Circle on August 6. The foundation, established one and
a half years ago, is an organisation providing school education and vocational training
to young people in villages. Youths in remote areas with poor transportation, especially
in Chin and Shan states, Sagaing and Yangon regions, do not have access to this kind of
education.
The foundation was established by Salai Bawi Vung Thaung and Yan Naing Oo, and its
leading members are Nay Oke Saint Paul, Zin Mar Oo, Sui Cia Kham and Tha Uke. Some
of them, who are involved in teaching the youths, explained about the activities and
challenges of the foundation. They also mentioned how students, teachers and parents
have difficulties regarding their kids pursuit of education, the prevailing situation of
education in villages and the role of the Youth and Future Educational Choice project.
Launching of Fulbrighters Diaries
A book launching ceremony for Myanmar Fulbrighters Diaries was held on July 3 at Orchid
Hotel in Botataung township. The book outlines the experience of nine former Fulbright
scholars who spent their time in the United States. They revealed how they persevered
in securing the scholarship and their struggles in a new environment. The book contains
personal details and also their outlook on politics, education and health sectors. The
Diaries was published by the Myanmar Fulbright Alumni Association.
The Fulbright Scholarship Program was founded by US Senator J William Fulbright in
1946. Since then, the US Department of State annually selects students across the globe
who aspires to study in America under the scholarship. Although, Myanmar students were
selected for the scholarship even before 1950, the process to send them was suspended
in the late 1980s. However, the selections resumed in 2007 and 73 students have won the
scholarship until this year.
MISY students visit The Myanmar Times
Students from Myanmar International School Yangon, led by teacher Rose Curato, visited
The Myanmar Times office on June 2. They were on a study visit to witness firsthand how an
international-standard newspaper is being published. During a question and answer session
with the papers then Executive Editor Myo Lwin (now the deputy Editor-in-Chief), students
raised several questions, especially how the paper is produced daily. Some interesting
questions were who owns the newspaper, CEOs salary, do reporters and editors draw cartoons
themselves, who does the daily pagination and how editors come up with punchy headlines.
Curato and her fun-loving students were indeed pleased with the visit, as she explained
later, It inspired the class to do their project [newspaper and TV news] better. They said
after their visit to the Myanmar Times, the way they read newspapers will take a different
meaning in their lives from now on.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun
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2
8
Trendy
Myanmar
accessories
7
Photos: Nyein Su Wai Kyaw Soe (Courtesy of Vestige Store)
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Basic computer skills classes are available for those wishing to acquire fundamental
tech knowledge. Photo: Staff
An online teacher reaching out to students across the globe. Photo: AFP