Implementing Literacy Programs: MoE UM delivered opening speech at Committee meeting

The Committee for Implementing Literacy Programs for Rural and Ethnic Nationalities held a meeting on December 30 at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Education, Office No. (13), Nay Pyi Taw.

First, Union Minister for Education and Chairperson of the Committee for Implementing Literacy Programs for Rural and Ethnic Nationalities, Dr. Chaw Chaw Sein, delivered opening remarks. She stated that successive eras have carried out primary literacy activities for people in rural areas. In today's period, implementing literacy movements cannot be undertaken by the Ministry of Education alone; cooperation from relevant ministries and collaboration from region and state governments are also crucial.

According to the latest population and housing census, 9.8 percent of people have never attended school. Therefore, census data indicates a continued need to provide literacy education for individuals aged 15 and above in Nay Pyi Taw, as well as in regions and states.

In carrying out educational sector activities and formulating and implementing plans, budget allocation and expenditure must be integrated. Thus, these efforts cannot be accomplished solely with the Ministry of Education's allocated funds; support from related ministries, close supervision and funding from the Nay Pyi Taw Council, region, and state governments are also essential, she remarked.

Following this, Deputy Ministers Dr. Zaw Myint and U Nay Myo Hlaing delivered addresses. Then, the Director-General of the Department of Non-Formal and Lifelong Education, U Thant Zin Tun, explained matters related to basic literacy activities. Subsequently, attending deputy ministers, Nay Pyi Taw Council member (3), region and state government social affairs ministers participating in the meeting online, and general administration department directors and administrative officers from Nay Pyi Taw Council, regions, and states discussed and presented issues concerning literacy for rural and ethnic nationalities.

Afterwards, the Union Minister delivered concluding remarks, stating that suggestions and discussions on curriculum matters would be integrated and coordinated as needed. The Union Minister Dr. Chaw Chaw Sein, along with responsible officials, visited Basic Education High School No. (7), No. (9), and No. (10) in Zabuthiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, in the morning. She toured the classrooms to observe students learning peacefully, offered words of encouragement, inspected chemistry and physics laboratories, school snack stalls, and restrooms, and arranged for necessary provisions.