Education in Burma

Background

Education in Burma/Myanmar Education in Burma is struggling. According to UNICEF 30% of children never attend school and nearly three quarters fail to complete primary education. Less than 2% who enter complete secondary education. The number of primary schools ranges from one in five villages in the main population zones around the centre of the country to as low as one in 25 in border regions. Government schools are very poorly resourced. Many parents send their children to local monastic education schools as these are generally cheaper and more accessible. Monastic schools teach the government curriculum but generally extend only to the end of primary level.

Our Partners Our major partner in Burma is the Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Education School in Mandalay. PDO was established by three monks (two of them brothers), who believe that education should be free and available to all. They have developed a vibrant and exciting learning environment. Through ingenuity and hard work they have been able to keep pace with the rapid growth of the school and have developed some very innovative teaching methods. From its inception some 15 years ago the school has grown from 400 to over 7,000 pupils. There are now 130 teachers spanning kindergarten to high school. Students come from Mandalay as well as ethnic areas, particularly Shan State. Many students from outside Mandalay board at the school. Of late PDO has begun to assist other Monastic Education Schools to train teachers in more modern child centred learning and teaching.

Another partner, the Child Focussed Network assists local orphanages, monastic schools and community organisations to develop child rights approaches to their work. The Network consists of over 40 organisations and provides support to over 5,000 children.