EduCentre

LEARNING WITH

MONTHLY EDUCATION PULLOUT - JUNE 2017

A system of education is not one thing, nor does it have a single

definite object, nor is it a mere matter of schools. Education is
that whole system of human training, within and without
the school house walls, which molds and develops humans.
W.E.B. Du Bois
American Writer, 1868-1963
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JUNE 2017
2 LEARNING WITH

International Relations -- comp

According to experts, anyone who has national interests at heart need to master international rel

TAZAR BHONE MYINT

tazarbhonemyint7@gmail.com

E
VERYONE would agree with
the statement that a countrys
internal and external politics
is the most important factor for
its development. Only with a good
political system and international
relations would a nations economy
be strong, resulting in a developed
nation with happy and contented
citizens.
Citizens, on their part, also
need to take part in politics, looking
out for ways and means to benefit
their society and the country as a
whole. To this end, citizens need to
understand politics and have a good
grasp of what international relations
is all about.
One English translation of a well-
known quote by French diplomat and
philosopher Joseph de Maistre (1753-
1821) reads, Every nation gets the
government it deserves. Obviously,
it means that the higher the political
knowledge level of the people is,
there would be better chances of
electing a good government.
Accordingly, students or anyone
interested in politics and nation-
building should pursue International
Relations (IR) as a compulsory
course.

Potential IR students
Lets see what it takes to study
IR. There is no minimum marks
requirement to take the IR course in
Myanmar universities. However, in
contrast with those pursuing other
major subjects, potential IR students
are screened out in an interview.
The interview is a psychological
test. During the interview, ones
intelligence, memory, social dealings
and language skills are tested,
according to an IR second-year
student, who wishes to remain
anonymous and be known only as
Sithu.
International Relations, as a
course, has been taught in Myanmar
universities since 1984. It was first
launched in Dagon University,
The former Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) complex in Dagon township, Yangon. In the mid-1990s, MOFA favored hiring only
IR graduates. Photo: Staff
Students or anyone interested in politics and nation-building should pursue International Relations (IR) as a compulsory course. Photo: Shutterstock
Yadanabon University in Mandalay,
Monywa University and East Yangon
University. Later, it was extended to
University of Foreign Languages.
In the beginning, there were
only a few hundred students but the
number gradually increased year
after year, according to IR tutors.
And with the dawn of democracy in
Myanmar, the country is witnessing
the largest number of IR students
ever.
The IR course comprises six
major and two minor subjects. A full-
time four-year study will earn one a
B.A. (IR) degree, and an additional
year a B.A. (Hons) (IR) degree.
Diploma courses in IR are also
offered in Yangon and Mandalay
universities.
Comprehending global political
affairs
Subjects taught in IR course include
international history, universal law
and treatises, global economy and
geopolitics. Besides, students have
to study various constitutions of the
worlds nations. Once these subjects
are learnt, a student would have a
grasp of global political affairs and
international relations.
What are the roles of the
government and the governed in
building up a nation? What are
the consequences of establishing
relations among nations, such as
Myanmar-US relations, Myanmar-
China relations or US-China
relations regarding Myanmar? We
coach students in such complicated
topics, U Sai Khaing Myo Tun,
lecturer from Yangon University IR
Department, explained.
Students are also taught to be
able to distinguish between positive
and adverse effects of relationship
between international organizations
and Myanmar, he pointed out.
What kind of influences non-
governmental organizations (NGO)
exert on the Myanmar government
and the country, which is still a
developing nation and having to
deal with camps for internally
displaced persons? How does
Myanmar accept assistance offered
by these organizations without
becoming liable to their unnecessary
influence? These are the topics
that are being raised at the IR
departments.
No scarcity of jobs
Regarding job opportunities, theres
no scarcity of jobs for IR graduates
who wish to participate in nation
building tasks. They can either
join international organizations
and NGOs or public relations
departments at various government
ministries in Myanmar.
Many ministries have their
own public/international relations
department. According to
government employees, there is
a need in employing IR graduates
who would understand the terms
of agreement for commercial
contracts between the government
departments and international
organizations.
IR graduates could also work
at peace building institutions, or
even take up ones own interest in
business and administration.
IR and political science courses
are inter-related, and so when one
is studying IR they would have to
learn political science as well. Its
no wonder that the IR Department
at Yangon University also teaches
political science to its students.
IR graduates are considered most
suitable for the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MOFA) and its embassies
abroad, and it wouldnt be a surprise
to see many IR graduates being
employed at MOFA.
Somewhat prepared for MOFA
According to a former MOFA official
who is now employed with a media
company, IR is relevant for both
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JUNE 2017
LEARNING WITH 3

pulsory for nation building

lations and political science

public and international relations. other side in negotiations, he said.

Since they are being taught all the
basics regarding international
relations, IR graduates are somewhat
prepared to work for MOFA, he said.
Since IR graduates already have
a basic knowledge relating to MOFAs
nature of work, they feel comfortable
with being employed there. Once
they are in service, they should
further their studies -- as a form
of on-job training in their specific
areas of responsibility -- in order to
effectively perform their duties, he
said.
In the mid-1990s, MOFA favored
hiring only IR graduates. But,
according to some employees, it has
been some time now that graduates
in other subjects are being employed
as well.
When they join our ministry,
there are foreign scholarships.
They are sent to such countries as
Singapore and Thailand. Of course,
IR graduates find it easier to adapt
to international relations work than
graduates in other subjects. Also,
MOFAs basic requirements list
hiring IR graduates, U Myo Myint,
deputy director from ASEAN Affairs
Department, said.
Some other MOFA staff also
expressed the same opinion saying
IR graduates were being facilitated
at work by the subjects they took at
their university course.
Ours is a country with many
requirements. We need many things
for our countrys development
and rehabilitation. We need a lot
of professionals. IR is an essential
subject to pursue, if you wish to
work for public interests. Without
having any knowledge of IR, one
may not even know how to talk to our
neighbors, Zaganar explained.
Human beings and politics cant
be separated. Myanmar citizens have
been out of touch with politics for
a long time. Therefore, the young,
who would one day be leading the
country, should master IR. The more
political knowledge the citizens
acquire, the more effective leaders
they can select.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attends the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting Internationally-acclaimed satirist Zaganar
After all, Every nation gets the in Yangon in December of last year. As Myanmar is an ASEAN member, subjects such as (U Thura) says veteran Myanmar politicians
government it deserves. Myanmars relationships with other ASEAN nations and internal politics of individual ASEAN are now taking up IR subjects in their free
Translation by Zaw Nyunt countries are being taught as part of IR course. Photo: AFP time. Photo: Staff

Understanding democratic
practices
According to some IR faculty
members, since Myanmar is an
ASEAN member, subjects such as
relationships with other ASEAN
countries with a focus on Myanmar,
internal politics of individual
ASEAN countries, ways and methods
of development in those countries,
and Myanmar relations with super
powers are also being taught.
At this time of democratic
transition, anyone who wishes to
join the parliamentary proceedings,
lead a political party, become an
MP or an activist should study
IR subjects so as to understand
democratic practices and principles.
Only when a countrys citizens are
educated, would they get an educated
government, Dr Nyi Nyi Aung,
lecturer from Dagon University IR
Department, said.
Veteran Myanmar politicians are
now taking up IR subjects in their
free time, according to Zaganar
(U Thura), an internationally-
acclaimed satirist.
IR teaches how to deal in
international relations, how to
negotiate and solve problems and
how to communicate. Thus, it is very
beneficial, he said.

Negotiating skills
It could be negotiations between
two nations or between two parties
or two organizations, and there are
techniques to be learnt to become
an efficient negotiator. There should
be no one-sided advantage over the

4 LEARNING WITH
Affordable and quality education
at Kings International School
With standards and expectations set out by the British National Curriculum, the STEM program
and a trilingual environment, the school prepares its students in becoming top achievers
Programs using play-based learning at Kings International School create lots of fun, interesting activities and experiences for children to
explore. Photo: Supplied
TIN YADANAR TUN
yadanar.mcm@gmail.com
A
S Myanmars economic
situation improves with
foreign direct investment
gradually flowing in, international
schools catering to kids of high-
income parents and foreign
businessmen have been sprouting
up all over Yangon. These schools,
where more and more students are
now enrolled, started to appear
after 2012, and now there are over a
dozen international schools already
being opened.
Choosing a truly unique
school with an affordable price
and good facilities is a great
challenge for parents and elders.
U Ye Thiha Thant, founder and CEO of Kings International School, credits the team To make things easier for them,
of dedicated local and foreign teachers at his school for all the skills achieved by the The Myanmar Times has picked
students. Photo: Zarni Phyo for this months EduCentre an
EduCentre
JUNE 2017
excellent international school with
a moderate price for everyone.
Located at 695, Maha Bandoola
Street in downtown Yangons Latha
township, Kings International
School has a pre-school, a primary
school and an independent
International General Certificate
of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
school.
Kings Internationals pre-school
is suitable for Pre-Nursery kids
(age 2) to Reception (ages 4-5). The
primary school is for Year 1 (age 5)
to Year 7 (age 12) and the standalone
IGCSE program is for Year 10 and
Year 11 students wishing to sit for
UKs IGCSE exams.
Vital investment in young
children
The emotional, social and physical
development of young children
has a direct impact on their overall
development and growth. The
need to invest in these young
children is vital as it would shape
a childs future happiness, health,
growth, development and learning
achievement at their school, in their
family and community, and in life
in general.
Neurological research shows
that the early years of a child play a
key role in their brain development
and the first three years of life are
a period of incredible growth in all
areas of a babys development.
U Ye Thiha Thant, founder and
CEO of Kings International School,
said, We started opening a pre-
nursery class for 2-year-old toddlers
and trained them in all necessary
skills to make them outstanding and
Continued on page 5
EduCentre

JUNE 2017
LEARNING WITH AA

An Explanatory Note

I
N accordance with the education
sector being given top priority by the
present National League for Democ-
racy government, The Myanmar Times, in
collaboration with the British Council, is
honoured to play a part in this most cru-
cial area for the people of this country.
We are devoting four pages of our
resourceful EduCentre pullout for
LearnEnglish Print, a series of high-quality
English-language learning articles and
activities, produced by the British Council.
The English-language levels of these
LearnEnglish Print series follow the
standards of the Common European
Framework of Reference (CEFR) for
languages. According to CEFR, there are six
levels:
A1 (Breakthrough) a basic ability
to communicate and exchange
information in a simple way.
A2 (Waystage) an ability to deal with
simple, straightforward information
and begin to express oneself in familiar
contexts.
B1 (Threshold) the ability to express
oneself in a limited way in familiar
situations and to deal in a general way
with non-routine information.
B2 (Vantage) the capacity to achieve
most goals and express oneself on a
range of topics.
C1 (Effective Operational Proficiency)
the ability to communicate with the
emphasis on how well it is done, in
terms of appropriacy, sensitivity and the
capacity to deal with unfamiliar topics.
C2 (Mastery) the capacity to deal
with material which is academic or
cognitively demanding, and to use
language to good effect at a level of
performance which may in certain
respects be more advanced than that of
an average native speaker.
The Kids Stories series (with activities)
football gifts
on Page A are for primary kids. Each story
features a QR code in the bottom right-
hand corner that will enable readers with
smart phones to watch the videos of the
stories on their mobile device.
The Teens Skills series on Page B are
suitable for teenagers at CEFR A1 and
A2 levels. Some items are for practicing
reading skills and the others are for
writing. Each item includes simple practice
a. He ______be very good at pretending. had to / didnt have to
activities based on visual prompts.
b. He ______cheer when his team scored. could / couldnt The General English series on Page C are
appropriate for CEFR B1 level and cover a
c. He ______go to the bathroom to celebrate. had to / didnt have to
broad range of topics. Each is accompanied
d. He ______be sad when Boxton Town scored. could / couldnt by a vocabulary comprehension task and
e. He ______have Boxton Rovers posters when he was alone. could / couldnt features cartoons, fun word searches and
language jokes.
f. He ______change his room when someone came. didnt have to / had to
The Professionals series on Page D are
g. He ______have a secret wardrobe. had to / couldnt pitched at CEFR B2 and C1 levels and
h. He ______hide his favourite teams clothes. had to / couldnt aimed at professional people who may use
English in the workplace. Topics covered
i. He ______be sad with Boxton Town football gifts. had to / couldnt
include knowledge management, business
ethics and change management.
 EduCentre

JUNE 2017
BB LEARNING WITH
EduCentre
Building bridges
by Linda Baxter
Being old is when you know all the
answers but nobody asks you the
questions.
(Anonymous)
Six months before she died, my grandmother
moved into an old peoples home and I visited
her there when I was in Britain. She was sitting
in the living room with about 15 other residents,
mostly women, half of them asleep. The room
was clean and warm, with flowers and pictures,
and the care assistants were kind and cheerful. A
general knowledge quiz show was on the television
(to keep their brains active one of the assistants
said), and the only other sounds were snoring and
embarrassing digestive noises. People moved only
when they needed to be helped to the bathroom. It
was depressing. Gran talked a lot about how much
she missed seeing her grandchildren (my nieces
aged seven and five), but I knew from my sister
that they hated going to visit her there and, to be
perfectly honest, I couldnt wait to get away myself.
So I was interested to read a newspaper article
about a new concept in old peoples homes in
France. The idea is simple, but revolutionary
combining a residential home for the elderly with
a crche/nursery school in the same building. The
children and the residents eat lunch together and
share activities such as music, painting, gardening
and caring for the pets, which the residents
are encouraged to keep. In the afternoons, the
residents enjoy reading or telling stories to the
children, and if a child is feeling sad or tired, there
is always a kind lap to sit on and a cuddle. There
are trips out and birthday parties too.
The advantages are enormous for everyone
concerned. The children are happy, because they
get a lot more individual attention, and respond
well because someone has time for them. They
also learn that old people are not different or
frightening in any way. And of course, they see
illness and death and learn to accept them. The
residents are happy because they feel useful and
needed. They are more active and more interested
in life when the children are around and they take
more interest in their appearance too. And the staff
are happy because they see an improvement in the
physical and psychological health of the residents
and have an army of assistants to help with the
children.
Nowadays there is less and less contact between
the old and the young in an increasing number
of countries. There are many reasons for this,
including the breakdown of the extended family,
working parents with no time to care for ageing
Joke teacher
Question: Whats the longest word in the English language?
Answer: Smiles, because its got miles in it.
This English joke works because of words within words. There are lots of jokes
like this in English. For example:
Question: What animal is good at opening locked doors?
Answer: A turkey.
Can you think of other animals that have a key in their name?
5a 5 scheme 5d
4b 4 cuddle 4c
3c 3 snoring 3e
2b 2 breakdown 2a
1c 1 lap 1b
Ex 3 Ex 2 Ex 1
Want to find more learning activities? Visit www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
Send your feedback to learnenglishprint@britishcouncil.org
JUNE 2017
LEARNING WITH
relations, families that have moved away, and
smaller flats with no room for grandparents. But the
result is the same increasing numbers of children
without grandparents and old people who have no
contact with children. And more old people who
are lonely and feel useless, along with more and
more families with young children who desperately
need more support. Its a major problem in many
societies.
Thats why intergenerational programmes, designed
to bring the old and the young together, are
growing in popularity all over the world, supported
by UNESCO and other local and international
organisations. There are examples of successful
initiatives all over the world. Using young people
to teach IT skills to older people is one obvious
example. Using old people as volunteer assistants
in schools is another, perhaps reading with children
who need extra attention. There are schemes
that involve older people visiting families who are
having problems, maybe looking after the children
for a while to give the tired mother a break. Or
adopt a grandparent schemes in which children
write letters or visit a lonely old person in their
area. There are even holiday companies that
specialise in holidays for children and grandparents
together.
One successful scheme in London pairs young
volunteers with old people who are losing their
sight. The young people help with practical things
such as writing letters, reading bank statements
and helping with shopping, and the older people
can pass on their knowledge and experience to
their young visitors. For example, a retired judge
may be paired with a teenager who wants to study
law. Lasting friendships often develop.
But it isnt only the individuals concerned who gain
from intergenerational activities. The advantages
to society are enormous too. If older people can
understand and accept the youth of today, and vice
versa, there will be less conflict in a community.
In a world where the number of old people is
increasing, we need as much understanding and
tolerance as possible. Modern Western society has
isolated people into age groups and now we need
to rediscover what community really means. And
we can use the strengths of one generation to help
another. Then perhaps getting old wont be such a
depressing prospect after all.
c children visiting old people for lunch and
Answers
CC
Exercise 1
Match the words with their definitions.
1 snoring
2 cuddle
3 lap
4 breakdown
5 scheme
a. put your arms around someone to comfort or
show love
b. breathing noisily while sleeping
c. when a relationship or a system stops
working
d. plans which are made to help a group of
people
e. front portion of the body from the waist to
the knees of a person seated
Exercise 2
Now use the five words to fill the gaps in the
sentences below.
1. The cat sat on my while I watched
television.
2. There has been a in marriage in Western
Europe over the last 30 years.
3. She had to sleep in another room because he
couldnt stop .
4. She likes to her teddy bear before going
to sleep.
5. There is a special to help people who
have been unemployed for a long time.
Exercise 3
For each question choose the best answer.
1 What was wrong with the home that the
writers grandmother was in?
a The old people werent looked after properly.
b Children werent allowed to visit.
c The residents had no stimulation.
2 What was the new concept that the writer
read about in the newspaper?
a old people being allowed to keep pets
b a nursery school inside an old peoples home
birthdays
3 Who benefits from this new type of old
peoples home?
a the staff
b the staff and the old people
c the staff, the old people and the children
4 What does the writer think is a major problem
in many societies today?
a the breakdown of the extended family
b There isnt much contact between the old
and the young.
c Old people are lonely.
5 Why are intergenerational activities important
these days?
a There will be more old people in future.
b Western communities are isolated.
c Old people dont like young people.
British Council 2016
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JUNE 2017
DD LEARNING WITH

Pre-reading task
1 What is knowledge management?
Now read the text and find out if your answer is correct.

Knowledge management
by Alison Driver
Did you know we are living in what is data + context = information. Now, based on my years
commonly termed the information society? of experience working in the shop and my familiarity
Thanks to advances in computers, modern with my customers, I can use my knowledge to decide
whether I should order more of the same product or not.
means of communication and the Internet,
Perhaps a rival product has been launched recently and
information has become easier to obtain this accounts for a drop in sales, but my insight tells me
and it is now much more significant in that after a while my customers will go back to buying
our daily lives. Organisations believe that product X. Whatever the situation, I use my knowledge,
having better information leads to better and not just the information I receive, to decide on
decision making. However, with greater the best course of action. So knowledge can be Exercise 1
access to information comes the problem of defined as the know-how that comes from experience Match the first halves of each sentence (1-8)
information overload. Too much information and understanding of a situation. For the time being, with the second halves (a-h).
makes it difficult to decide which pieces of only humans, and not computers, can provide an
1 An asset is
organisation with the knowledge it needs to succeed,
information are useful in making the best 2 An expert has
and the combined knowledge that the employees of 3 All companies seek competitive advantage
decisions and which are not. Selecting an organisation possess is often termed its intellectual because
and obtaining the right information and capital. 4 A person who has insight
using it well can give an organisation a 5 Information overload is the result of
competitive advantage. This is how the field KM therefore can be divided into two parts. The first is 6 The capital of a business
the activity of obtaining the best information. This often 7 Data is
of knowledge management, or KM, arose, 8 If words are taken out of context, you
and it is being adopted by more and more relies on technology, such as powerful computers, to
filter or store information. It also relies on good networks a. dont pay attention to the setting why the
businesses today. words were spoken or to whom you focus
of communication so that knowledge can flow easily
through the organisation. The other part is the more only on the words.
In order to understand what knowledge management
b. facts and figures (numbers).
is, it is necessary to define it. In fact, we need to human side, which focuses on employees exploiting the
c. having too much information to be able to
distinguish between data, information and knowledge, information in order to create competitive advantage for deal with.
and some concrete examples can help. Looking at the the organisation. d. can see and understand how things should
daily transactions of a shop, I may see that 12 units be done.
Companies that adopt KM strategies believe that they e. it means that they can do better in the
of product X have been sold this month that is an
will achieve better results because they harness the market place than their competitors.
interesting piece of data but I cannot make a decision
potential of both modern technological advances and f. is the money it has available.
based on it because it lacks context. I can change g. a lot of know-how. He/She knows how to do
good old-fashioned experience.
this data into valuable information if I know that 20 things.
units of product X were sold the previous month this h. something that has value.
informs me that sales in that item have dropped. So,

Exercise 2

Word search Read the article and decide if the following

statements are true or false.
Complete the words below with their missing 1 Our society is called an information society
N T U C A H B R B X K C Z letters and then see if you can find those because there is too much information in
O V X O Z L Q X S E M O N words in the grid. They can be horizontal, the world.
vertical, diagonal and backwards. 2 To make the right decisions, the more
I O R M C R A W I S O N R
CAPITAL information an organisation can get, the
T X D P W X R R N F B C S better it is.
E_PERT
A D A E E T Q K F L C R Q 3 Information is different from data because it
COM_UNICAT_ON provides a context.
C A O T B H F N O N T E L 4 Knowledge and know-how are very different.
INFORMAT_ON
I T L I Y G Q O R V R T Q 5 Insight can help experts make better
COMPETIT_VE decisions.
N A R T H I U W M Q E E V
INSI_HT 6 The intellectual capital of an organisation
U D E I G S C L A W P W F is the combination of its human and
CONCR_TE technological assets.
M Z V V T N M E T J X Y X
KNOWLE_GE 7 Organisations rely on computers to produce
M E O E Q I R D I H E I G knowledge.
D_TA
O X D D F D V G O U V Q S
OVERL_AD
C A P I T A L E N O T V U

5. True; 6. False; 7. False 5. c; 6. f; 7. b; 8. a

1. False; 2. False; 3. True; 4. False; 1. h; 2. g; 3. e; 4. d;
Ex 2 Ex 1 Answers

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Send your feedback to learnenglishprint@britishcouncil.org British Council 2016
 EduCentre
Continued from page 4
successful since their very young
age. We follow the standards and
expectations set out by the British
National Curriculum and include all
subjects from it.
Moreover, as a school that is
based in Myanmar, we have a strong
ethos to educate our students in
Myanmar language up to a high
level. We have highexpectations of
our local students to be as fluent in
Myanmar language as they are in
English. This is sometimes not the
case for many of the local students
in international schools.
Furthermore, we also provide
an opportunity for all our students
to learn Chinese as a second
language, as it is increasingly
becoming a global language.
This immersion in trilingual
environment starts from pre-
school and continues all the way
to the end of primary school. For
example, in pre-school, we would
have numeracy and literacy classes
in both English and Myanmar.
Very strong foundation skills
Although the results are not
immediately visible at Pre-Nursery,
they are very encouraging by the
time the young students reach
Reception and Year 1 stages. Music,
ICT, sports are also part of the
Deputy Editor-in-Chief:
Myo Lwin
Editor:
Clovis Santiago
Staff writers:
Tazar Bhone Myint,
Tin Yadanar Tun, Ei Shwe Phyu,
Aung Kyaw Nyunt, Kyi Tha Maung
Photography:
Zarni Phyo, Naing Wynn Htoon,
Shutterstock, AFP, EPA
Cover photo:
Shutterstock
Layout design:
Ko Htway, Khin Zaw
For feedback and enquiries, please contact
c.santiago@mmtimes.com
Contributors
Welcome!
Do you wish to gain popularity
together with the recently-
launched The Myanmar
Times EduCentre monthly
education pullout? Heres a
chance for you. We are inviting
contributors to send in their
writings and opinion pieces on
education. Writers could also
send in their photos to be used
as a byline. Please email your
contribution to:
c.santiago@mmtimes.com
*Note: Articles should not
exceed 1000 words. Publishing
of these articles would be at
the discretion of the editors.
JUNE 2017
LEARNING WITH 5
regular curriculum.
By now, they have developed
very strong foundation skills in all
the areas of the curriculum as well
as having English and Myanmar as
their core languages and Chinese
as the second language. They would
be reading chapter books at that
age, which is incredible, and their
Myanmar language ability at age 5+
is at least one or two years ahead of
their peer groups, explained U Ye
Thiha Thant.
One could imagine, if they can
do all these skills at such a young
age, what they would be doing at
age 10 or 12. At Primary School,
our focus is very strong on English,
Mathematics and Science. All of
this is made possible because of our
team of dedicated local and foreign
teachers, he said.
Kings International has
also launched STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) as an enrichment
program beginning this summer.
As part of this program, we will
be teaching Robotics to our primary
school students. This program is
designed by the world-renowned
Carnegie Mellon University from Kings International School teaches phonics, an unfamiliar topic for many Myanmar parents, in pre-school. Phonics is the foundation for young
the United States for primary and children to learn how to read and develop a love of reading from a young age. Photo: Supplied
secondary school students, and has
10 different levels that are very well
structured. It is currently taught in
over 10,000 schools in the United
States and we are very happy to
bring this to our students here.
City College Yangon will
be conducting this program in
conjunction with our school. As the
term STEM goes, we believe that
giving students such access will
really help them develop skills in
this area, U Ye Thiha Thant added.
Developing a love of reading
Kings International teaches
phonics, an unfamiliar topic for
many Myanmar parents, in pre-
school. Phonics is the foundation
for young children to learn how to
read and develop a love of reading
from a young age.
The pre-school curriculum
is based on UKs Early Years
Foundation Stage [EYFS]
because Myanmar doesnt have
a comprehensive pre-school
curriculum yet. The advantage
of EYFS is that it is very
comprehensive, very detailed and
covers systematically many of
the development areas of a child,
and we believe that it is extremely Although located in downtown Yangon, school fees at Kings International School is reasonable for many parents. Photo: Supplied
important for our young children
to have solid foundation skills, he for our children to explore. Our Further study options can to help them achieve this, U Ye
said. classrooms are set up to promote After IGCSE, most of our students Thiha Thant said.
creativity and curiosity while embark on overseas trips for If a student wishes to
EYFS has seven areas of learning providing them a safe and friendly further study options. This is, attend Myanmar schools via
and development: environment to develop their skills, sometimes, because there are not Kings International, we make
communication and language, said the founder of the school. many alternatives here that will arrangements for them to sit for
physical development, We have a multi-purpose court enable them to get into the best the government exams. They
personal, social and emotional that is laid with artificial grass. universities. We have had many of can also sit for the governments
development, It gets used a lot by our students our students enter top universities, matriculation exam and attend the
literacy, and our pre-schoolers also have a such as University of Oxford, Myanmar universities, he added.
mathematics, School fees for a student will be
large outdoor play, although we are Imperial College London, London
understanding the world, and based in downtown Yangon. We School of Economics and Political K3 million to K6 million per year.
expressive arts and design. like to think that there is a lot of Science and University College This would be an affordable price
creativity happening around Kings London. for many parents, although we have
Within each of the seven areas, International from pre-school to We work very closely with opened Kings International at a
there are very specific standards primary levels. Our classrooms and Imperial Merit Educational good downtown location, the school
set for the development of each the work that our children have Advisory in helping and counseling founder explained.
child and our program has lots done, that is on display around students and their parents on There is also a weekend Young
of experiences and activities for the school, is a testament to the overseas study options. Through Learners Program in which
our children, in addition to the creativity of our children, he counseling, we are able to inspire English and Chinese languages
trilingual environment that they are added. and get students to set high are being taught to students, from
growing up in, he added. There are 130 students at Kings expectations and standards for public or private schools, who are
We use play-based learning International School this year with themselves. We would like our seeking to improve their skills
and our program has lots of fun and 30 dedicated local teachers and five students to become very successful and sit for the Cambridge Young
interesting activities and experiences expatriates. and are prepared to do whatever we Learners exam.

6 LEARNING WITH
Sayadaw U Nayaka, principal of Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Education High School in Mandalay Region. The Sayadaw says it is needless to have a preconception that it takes a long time to change the education system. Photo: Ei Shwe Phyu
Turning into doctors, engineers just
by rote learning: Sayadaw U Nayaka
The Myanmar Times EduCentre talks with the principal of Phaung Daw Oo Monastic
Education High School in Mandalay Region about the predicament the current
education system faces and his views of transforming it
EI SHWE PHYU
eishwephyummtime@gmail.com
Sayadaw U Nayakas opinion on the present
situation of the education system:
There have been some changes in Myanmars
education system but its still not satisfactory.
There are things that need to be done for
transformation of the system. Although
child-centered approach [CCA] is being used
now as a teaching method, it is necessary to
provide more efficient training for teachers on
how to use CCA effectively.
The training system itself needs to be
overhauled. Right now, teachers from the
central level give some training to regional
level teachers who, in turn, train whatever
they have learnt to township level teachers.
In the end, some parts of the training get lost
during the process, and the township teachers
would not have learnt everything that they
should have. The government should, instead,
form a team of professional trainers who
would be located in states and regions to
consistently monitor how the approach is
being utilized.
Furthermore, for years now, Myanmar
education system is accustomed to rote
learning. This is also prevalent in monastic
education. Even Grade 10 students are
learning each and every word from their
textbooks by heart. Students pass their Grade
10 [matriculation] high school government
exam with distinctions in all six subjects
through rote learning. Since their total marks
give them an opportunity to enter medical or
engineering universities, they do so without
thinking twice, no matter whether they are
interested in these careers or not. Their
parents also pressure them into becoming
doctors or engineers. This is the present
status of the education system.
I had a chance to study about the education
system in Australia when I was there in
2015. Their high school year ends with Year
12, not like ours with Grade 10. They didnt
understand when I asked them whether there
were students who failed Year 12, and I had to
EduCentre
JUNE 2017
explain to them that only about 30 percent of
students who sit for the Grade 10 matriculation
exam in our country would pass it. They
wanted to know what plans the government
had for the remaining students who failed. I
told them that there were no plans at that time,
but maybe, there would be something when the
next government comes in.
No one passes or fails Year 12 in Australia,
but instead, all complete Year 12, they told
me. They can go to universities of their
choice based on a combination of external
exam record and test records issued by their
teachers at school. Also, their universities
have autonomy and freedom in checking and
accepting students into their institutions.
Here, universities are told which students
can be accepted based on their matriculation
marks gained through rote learning.
They [the Ministry of Education] have
started to change the syllabus in kindergarten
[KG] last year and in Grade 1 this year. As
the new system is KG+5+4+3, it is going to
take 13 years to change the whole school
syllabus. Instead of waiting six years to
change the primary level and four years to
change the middle, why cant the primary,
middle and high levels begin to be changed
simultaneously? We dont need to have a
preconception that it takes a long time to
change the education system. With all-out
efforts from all sides, it could be done in a
short time.
To succeed, more young teachers should
be trained. People who teach in my monastery
are mostly youths. When they pass their
matriculation exam, I train them and give
them a class to teach. There is more than 75pc
success. I mentioned about this when I met
with the Minister of Education in Nay Pyi Taw
on March 6.
His take on the system of Grades 1 to 9
students being passed -- based not only on
their final exam result but also on their
monthly and mid-term exam records:
People say our education system is in trouble
because every student passes their grade
 EduCentre
Microsoft certification a plus
for job application
Microsoft technical certifications are classified according to their different levels --
MTA, MCSA and MCSE -- of which MCSE would be the most prestigious
KYI THA MAUNG, AUNG KYAW NYUNT
kyithamg@gmail.com
aungkyawnyunt28@gmail.com
I
T is generally known that having a
Microsoft certification in hand is
an advantage in applying for jobs in
Myanmar, where Microsoft Windows and
Microsoft Office Applications are widely used.
It is true that having an ability to use
applications software is vital for an office
environment. It is also true that certificates
can partially endorse ones computer
knowledge in ones job resume, and they are
a proof that you have attended and passed
such and such relevant computer classes.
Nevertheless, whether one is really
skilful or not in using a software is more
important than just having some certificates
in hand. Worse still could be someone who
neither has skills nor certificates to show.
The most pursued certification in
Myanmar is Microsoft Office Specialist
(MOS). MOS certificate can be received
when one becomes an expertise in Microsoft
Office Suite. MOS has a variation now called
Microsoft Office 365 Certification, which
qualifies one to be able to understand mobile
applications.
There are other specific Microsoft
certifications, like Mobility, Cloud Computing,
Productivity, Data, App Builder and Business,
exams. I can respond to this statement based
on the present education system used in
Myanmar. In the past, there was even an
exam board for Grade 3. Grades 4 and 8 used
to have government exam system. At that
time, the Grade 10 passing rate was less than
15pc and only two got six distinctions. Now,
with the present system, why are there so
many students who get six distinctions? If the
students did not have a good foundation from
KG to Grade 10, how come they are passing
with distinctions in all six subjects?
We have to focus on teaching instead of
focusing on exams in this country. Without
emphasizing on teaching, nothing will be
changed. In other countries, there is no
rote learning. They pass students up to Year
12. After Year 12, students can even wait
for some time before joining a university.
Another drawback of failing students is
that parents have to bear up the additional
expenses for these dropouts. By focusing on
exams, children just do their rote learning
without any effort to try to understand the
lesson or build up their critical thinking. The
government should practice a continuous
assessment system. Universities should also
be given autonomy, according to the National
Education Law.
His opinion on why universities are not
given autonomy:
When I asked the National Education
Policy Commission, it said that individual
universities cannot thoroughly write their
own university constitutions. From the
universities side, they said they can write
it. Even if they find it hard, they can call in
foreign experts to assist them, they said. One
JUNE 2017
LEARNING WITH
The Microsoft logo outside the software company's German headquarters in Unterschleissheim, Germany.
Photo: EPA
depending on respective job requirements.
Microsoft technical certifications are
classified according to their different
levels -- Microsoft Technology Associate
(MTA) Certification, Microsoft Certified
Solutions Associate (MCSA) Certification
and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
(MCSE) Certification.
has to find out who is speaking the truth.
I told the minister that he alone has
the authority to change the Grade 10 exam
system. Just because they want their kids
to pass Grade 10, parents from rural areas
spend K2 million or K2.5 million by putting
up whatever they own, like their farmland
and cattle, for sale. This is a trend across
the country. How many students among
the 70pc who fail the exam sit again for the
matriculation exam? At our school, about a
thousand students take the matriculation
exam with only about 300 students [30pc]
passing it. I do not have an idea what happens
to the remaining 700 students who failed the
exam. Even in Grade 8, we cannot call back
students who failed to come and attend their
classes again. Some students go searching for
jobs and only a handful of them come back
to classes. This is the main reason why the
number of dropouts is always on the rise.
On the ministers response to his
suggestions:
The minister told me that changes have already
been initiated at the primary level. I urged him
to take a look at the Grade 10 situation where
parents are sacrificing all that they have for
their kids to pass the exam. I told him that he
can help these parents and kids by changing
the Grade 10 exam system into a completion
system. Giving autonomy to the universities and
changing Grade 10 into a completion system
must go hand in hand. The teaching system
must be effectively transformed.
On why parents still have to spend a lot
of money and lose their fields and cattle
despite the governments proclamation
certificate among the three levels.
MTA Certification requires fundamental
knowledge of Information Technology (IT),
and it is suitable for those who want to pursue
a basic career in Microsoft technologies. It
covers a number of basic IT fields.
In Myanmar, it is found that many
people, after taking MTA Certification,
move on to receive other certifications.
Students leave Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Education High School when classes are over for the day.
Photo: pdoeducation.org (Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Education website)
that the education system is free of charge:
The reason is, again, because of a lack of a
completion system. As simple as that. Students
wish to only pass their exam and go to places
where they can achieve it, regardless of the
expenses involved. Students from Phaung Daw
Oo usually cannot afford to attend tuitions.
When the authorities announced that Grade 4
will have a government exam, those students
went after private tuitions. This year, they
gave completion for all students in Grade 4. So,
students would not go for tuitions anymore,
as their class achievement has become more
important to them. They become more
appreciative of their school as they wont get
7
MCSA Certification covers
troubleshooting and finding solutions,
and one needs entry level technical skills
and knowledge in these subjects. MCSA is
acquired by those intending to join the IT
industry as beginners, although they would
not be IT experts yet.
MCSE Certification concerns with
expertise in problem solving and finding
solutions to glitches related to the computer
and the system thats running it. MCSE
is the most distinguished and prestigious
It would be wise to try for MCSE
Certification, only when one has received
the MTA and MCSA certificates. But many
in this country try to beat the odds and
attempt at MCSE, without trying to sit for
MTA or MCSA examinations.
MCSE Certification would indeed carry
weight in ones resume, but it is only valid
for three years. Once the duration is over,
one needs to take the MCSE Certification
exam again.
Examinations for Microsoft Office
Applications or for certifications in
solutions and related fields can be taken
at local training schools. As mentioned,
although these certificates do not directly
represent ones skills, they can certainly be
an advantage in securing a job.
Translation by Zaw Nyunt
any marks by attending outside tuitions. The
assessments at school turn out to be more
valuable. They do not wish to miss the classes
anymore, because their marks would be
reduced if they do not perform their school
activities, and they start to attend school more
regularly.
Some do not appreciate the completion
system because they do not understand it
well. In this kind of a system, teachers teach
their classes well and continuously watch and
assess their students. Students, in turn, try
their best because they know that whatever
they do is worth the effort.
Translation by Win Thaw Tar and Khine Thazin Han
 EduCentre

JUNE 2017
8 LEARNING WITH

Education
in brief
EI SHWE PHYU
eishwephyummtime@gmail.com

Invitation for ASEAN ICT

Awards 2017
Companies and individuals are being
invited to participate in ASEAN
ICT Awards 2017. Categories to be
awarded are -- The Public Sector,
The Private Sector, Corporate Social
Responsibility, Digital Content,
Start-up Company, and Research
and Development. Entry forms are
available at www.aseanictaward.com
or at mcf.org.mm.
ASEAN ICT Awards have been
held annually since 2012 with
the objective of encouraging new
ICT innovations and inventions
in the ASEAN region. Winners
will receive their awards at
the Telecommunications
and IT Ministers Meeting/
Telecommunications Senior
Officials Meeting (TELMIN/
TELSOM), which will be held at the
end of November 2017 in Cambodia.

Hinrich Global Trade

Leader Scholarships for Six According to Myanmar Computer Federation officials, ASEAN ICT Awards have been held annually since 2012 with the objective of encouraging new ICT innovations and inventions in the
Students ASEAN region. Photo: Facebook/Myanmar Computer Federation
Hinrich Global Trade Leader
Scholarships 2017 was introduced
on May 13 for students who want
to study postgraduate engineering
course. The full scholarship,
granted to at least six students, will
be jointly sponsored by Hinrich
Foundation, Adidas Group, Lai
Yih Footware Company, Pou Chen
Myanmar, Shyang Jhuo Yue and
TBS Group.
Those who win the scholarship
will have to study for two years at
the Vietnamese-German University
(VGU), where they will have
opportunities for internship during
the duration of the scholarship.
Once their study is completed, they
will also have job opportunities at
Officials from Yangon Region government, regional and township education offices and
the organizations that sponsored principals from basic education schools attend an event to introduce implementation of the
the scholarship. This is the third Those who receive the Hinrich Foundation Global Trade Leader Scholarships will have to National Education Strategic Plan at No. 4 Basic Education High School in Ahlone township,
time the scholarship has been study for two years at the Vietnamese-German University. Photo: Supplied Yangon on May 26. Photo: Ei Shwe Phyu
offered to Myanmar. Currently,
three Myanmar students who won
the scholarship during the past two
years are studying at VGU.

Third Job Fair at National

Management Degree
College
The National Management Degree
College will be holding its third job
fair on June 24 at its premises. The
fair aims to create job opportunities
for students and to supply qualified
young graduates for job vacancies
at companies, as well as offering
internships to students who have
the necessary potential.
The National Management
Degree College, located at 273/279,
Merchant Street, Botahtaung Parents and students fill admission forms at No. 4 Basic Education High School in Botahtaung Students study digital technology in Loikaw, Kayah State, during this summer.
township, Yangon, was established township, Yangon during the school enrolment week. Photo: Naing Wynn Htoon Photo: Supplied
in 2004. It offers Bachelor of
Business Management, Bachelor its process took place at No. 4 Basic Comprehensive Education Sector Text books are also given free to students in far remote ethnic and
of Arts (English for Professional Education High School in Ahlone Review. students. The motto for the school rural areas. The classes were jointly
Purposes), Bachelor of Arts township, Yangon. Officials from enrolment week is Every School- conducted by Myanmar ICT for
(Journalism) and Bachelor of Arts Yangon Region government, regional School Enrolment Week for Age Children Should Enroll and Development Organization and
(Tourism) degrees. and township education offices and 2017-18 Academic Year All Should Cooperate in Ending Telenors Alin Ein from Kayah State
principals from basic education May 25 to 31 has been designated Dropouts. and Mandalay Region.
National Education Strategic schools were in attendance. as the school enrolment week for One hundred students attended
Plan Rolled Out in Yangon The National Education Strategic the 2017-18 academic year at basic Digital Technology Summer each of the classes opened in two
An event to introduce Plan was initiated in 2012 and was education schools throughout the Classes sessions from May 2 to 12 and
implementation of the National drafted based on National Education country. Digital technology summer classes from May 15 to 26 in the capital of
Education Strategic Plan to those Law 2014, National Education Law The Ministry of Education is were opened as part of promoting Loikaw in Kayah State.
who gave suggestions and advice to Amendment 2015 and the Report on providing the basic education free. digital literacy to youths and Translation by Zar Zar Soe