NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
The 2015 National Education Law, which governs from kindergarten education to tertiary level refers to "government schools," "government supported schools," "schools owned by regional organizations," " private or independent schools," "monastery schools," " charity schools," "special education programme schools," "mobile and emergency schools," and Schools designated from time to time by the Ministry of Education or other relevant Ministries as the type of schools operating in Myanmar. According to the Myanmar Investment Law to conduct investment in education services (2018 a private school means all schools other than those run by the State. The 2011 The Private School Registration Law defines a “private school” as a school established privately that must follow the basic education curriculum and syllabus prescribed by the Ministry of Education or with added lessons for the said subjects for raising the quality of education.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
In Myanmar, most schools in primary education (five years), lower secondary education (four years) and upper secondary (two years) are state schools. Compulsory education includes 12 years covering levels from kindergarten to upper secondary.
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
No information was found.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
Private schools are owned, managed, and financed by non-state actors. In 2018 new regulations were drafted allowing foreigners to established non-state schools; before this, the 2011 private law only allowed Myanmar citizens to establish and operate non-state schools. The 2018 Notice No.7/2018 to invest in education service, includes different types of private schools based on the type of investments, private school run by a Myanmar citizen or any Myanmar citizen organization or Myanmar citizen organization with a full percentage of capital, private school which is a joint venture capital of Myanmar citizen or Myanmar citizen organization or Myanmar citizen organization or relevant government organization and foreign or foreign organization or foreign organization or foreign government organization or private school run by a foreigner or any foreign organization or foreign organization or foreign government organization with a full percentage of the capital. Types of non-state education institutions in Myanmar include International Schools, Ethnic Education, Community Schools and Refugee Camp Schools. Non-formal education is also provided by non-state actors to support out of school children.
State funded (government-aided), non-state schools
Monastic schools are established, managed and owned by monastic or nunneries organizations. These types of schools must follow the national curriculum and are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture (MoRCA). According to the National Education Strategic Plan 2016-2021 the state provides subsidies to these types of schools including teachers’ salaries payments. In the academic year 2017/2018 there were a total of 909 primary schools, 646 middle schools and 2 high schools.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
No regulation was found on Homeschooling in Myanmar.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
The Ministry of Education and the National Education Commission governs for the overall education system for both state and non-state actors in Myanmar. The National Education Commission is responsible for establishing the policies on establishment and closure of non-state educational institutions. Early Childhood Care and Education is overseen by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement (MSWRR) and the Ministry of Education (MoE). Basic education (kindergarten, primary and secondary level) is under the Department of Basic Education within the MoE, and Higher Education is under the governance mainly of the Department of Higher Education under the MoE and various other ministries (13) and the University Council. Monastic schools are overseen by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture (MoRAC) and other types of schools fall under the responsibility of the departments of ethnic education.
At a local level, Regional Education Office, District office and Township Education Office in charge of education in their respective jurisdiction for all types of educational provision.
Vision: The National Education Strategic Plan 2016-2021 includes and acknowledges the relevance of strengthening the coordination mechanisms in the education sector, at all levels, through a partnership with different non-state actors (non-governmental organizations, national groups, private sector, research centers, foundations, and other organizations) to further improve the educational services across the country, including grants for preschool services in remote and disadvantages areas and public-private partnerships. Furthermore, according to the 2015 National Law on Education, one of the principles of the National Education Principles is permitting to establish private or independent schools in accord with the relevant Law and encouraging cooperation of the private sector in education programmes. The 2014 Myanmar Policy for Early Childhood Care and Development, included Early Child Care and Development collaborations to include governmental, non- governmental, faith-based and community-based organisations, professional associations, foundations, higher education institutions, private sector groups and international development partners.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
Early Childhood Education covers children from birth to age eight. However, coverage is provided through preschool education (ages three-five) and kindergarten education (ages five-six). The latter, kindergarten, is considered as the first level of primary education. According to the National Education Strategic Plan 2016-2021, there are a number of non-governmental and private sector organizations actively supporting communities with the provision of ECCE services. In 2014 over 29 percent of early childhood care and education (ECCE) were operated by the private sector. Most ECCE facilities (34.8 percent) are run by non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, community- based organizations and home-based centers. (UNESCO, 2014).
Registration and approval: According to the 2014 Early Childhood and Development law, for a proprietor (individuals, juristic persons, non-governmental organizations, national or international) to establish an Early Childhood Care and Education Center (childcare center, kindergarten, community-based or house-based activities) providers must apply for a registration license at the Region or State Social Welfare Office. Proprietors must comply with requirements established in the 2014 Early Childhood and Development law such as complying with teachers and staff minimum training or qualifications and proper facilities including building area per child (min area of 18 sq. feet per child), proper teacher/ student ratio, clean and good toilet system, sleeping spaces and playgrounds. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: Upon authorization, childcare centers proprietors must pay the registration fee and thereafter must pay annually the renewal fee and other short-term allowance established by the Region or State Government. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: In Myanmar, the government has established its National Curriculum Framework where learner-centred and reflective teaching approaches enable all learners, including children with disabilities, to learn under the same curriculum. Simultaneously, the government has laid the groundwork to upgrade the professional competency of teachers through in-service training as mandated in the National Education Strategic Plan, developed the national framework for Continuous Professional Development, and finalized their Teacher Competency Standard Framework remains ongoing. (UNICEF,2020)
Teaching profession: The 2014 Early Childhood and Development Law, dictates that at least one teacher in charge of the school must have completed a training course for persons under the age of two accepted by the Department of Social Welfare. Teaching staff must comply with the requirements set by the Department of Social Welfare.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: No information was found.
Child assessment: No information was found.
Sanctions: An ECCE center’s failure to comply with the agreements and regulations of the authorization permit may be sanction with a monetary fine, suspension or revoking of the establishment permit. A proprietor who establishes and operates an ECCE center without authorization is liable to punishment of a monetary fine or imprisonment.
Registration and approval: See Multi-level regulations.
Licence: See Multi-level regulations.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: Private schools may use the national curriculum created by the Ministry of Education or may implement international curricula according to their pedagogical proposal; international curriculums must be pre-approved by the Ministry of Education to implement them. The 2015 National Law on Education dictates that teaching and learning may be in Myanmar or English or a combination of Myanmar and English. When necessary, an ethnic language may be used alongside the Myanmar language at the basic education level. In Regions or States, the teaching of ethnic languages and literature can be implemented by the arrangement of Region or State governments by starting from the primary level and step by step extending it to higher grades.
Textbooks and learning materials: No information was found.
Teaching profession: According to the 2011 Private School Registration Law, private school teachers must have a private teacher registration certificate issued by the relevant state or regional educational authority and pay the annual registration fee to teach in a private school. Upon authorization, teachers are granted a three-year license and must fulfil the academic requirements or expertise according to the education level and area of teaching.
Corporal punishment: No regulation was found establishing the prohibition of corporal punishment in non-state or state educational institutions. According to banning End Corporal Punishment 2020, ‘prohibition is still to be achieved in the home, alternative care settings, daycare and schools, and penal institutions; some legislation authorizing corporal punishment as a sentence for a crime is still to be formally repealed.’
Other safety measures and COVID-19: The COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plan was developed and design to mitigate the learning impacts in the education sector and outlines a short-term phase (response) and a mid-term phase (recovery). Distance learning needed to be implemented in both digital and non-tech options for the population without access to the internet or devices. The strategy mainly focuses on the effective reopening of educational institutions, including a Remedial Education Program in all Basic Education schools, including monastic and private schools for selected students.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: According to the 2015 National Education Law, the Ministry and regional administrative bodies shall make arrangements to establish mobile schools to allow the children and family members of migrant workers to complete primary education. The National Education Strategic Plan 2016-2021 dictates that the government introduced a student stipend programme targeting disadvantaged students.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: No information was found.
Reporting requirements: According to the 2011 Private School Registration Law, all private schools must keep a student record with the admission certificate of each student enrolled in the institution and personal information as instructed by the MoE.
School inspection: The Ministry of Education is authorized to establish and assign an inspection team to inquire into the additional lesson being taught in private schools and comply with the requirements established for private schools teaching. According to the 2011 Private School Registration Law, the Ministry of Education Anyone below the level of Township Education Officer assigned by the Director General or the Education Officer may visit any private school and request the relevant document markings and may enter any private school for this purpose.
Student assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: The Ministry of Education can revoke or suspend a private school’s certificate when found the institution non-compliance with the registration requirements. The MoE issues a warning for the school to rectify the shortcomings before the revocation of the certificate. The 2011 Private School Registration Law specifies that a private school may not close voluntarily during the academic year without the permission of the Ministry of Education.
According to the National Education Strategic Plan 2016-2021, Higher Education in Myanmar is composed of 158 higher education institutions (HEIs) (colleges, degree colleges and universities), which are overseen by 8 ministries. In the 2015 academic year, there were 225,178 students studying full-time in HEIs under the responsibility of the MOE, while an additional 411,164 students were accessing higher education through Distance Education Universities. Currently, there is no legislation or registered non-state higher education institutions. However, legislation on private higher education is currently being drafted.
Registration and approval: No information was found.
Licence: No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: No information was found.
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: No information was found.
Assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: No information was found.
3.2 Multi-level regulations
This section covers regulations on the establishment, operation, and quality of non-state institutions from kindergarten to secondary education level.
According to the 2014 National Education Law, Kindergarten is considered the first level of primary and compulsory education. The following section is based on the 2011 Private School Registration Law and the 2018 Myanmar Investment Law to conduct investment in education services.
Registration and approval: To open and operate a private educational institution (Institutions of basic education, technical and vocational education, private higher education, or subject private school) in Myanmar, all proprietors must apply for approval from the Ministry of Education and comply with the established regulations. In 2018 a set of new regulations was enacted allowing foreigners to establish non-state educational institutions. According to the 2018 Notice No.7/2018 to invest in education service, an educational institution can be established by an individual or legal person from Myanmar citizenship or a foreigner. According to the 2011 Private School Registration Law proprietors comply with the requirements such as school building conditioned to be used as a school, furniture according to age and number of students, adequate number of private teachers and the submission of all the additional lessons plans. All applications must be submitted to the Region or State Education Office of each institution's jurisdiction, which will forward the application to the Ministry of Education for the final decision. All private educational institutions must comply with the Myanmar Investment Law and Rules and comply with the notices issued by the Myanmar Investment Commission and the National Education Law (2014).
Licence: According to Myanmar Investment Law to conduct investment in education services (2018), upon approval and the payment of the prescribed fee, a registration certificate is issued. The relevant education officer must include the information about the private school in the registration book. All schools must pay an annual fee for registration to remain valid.
Taxes and subsidies: According to the 2014 National Education Law, the Ministry and relevant ministries may provide grants or other subsidies to monastery schools, charity schools, special education programs, mobile and emergency schools, village education departments, community-based education programs, education level non-formal classes as needed. In addition, the ministry may also support technologies, experts, and teaching staff. Furthermore, according to the National Education Strategic Plan 2016-2021, The government has provided salary subsidies for teachers at monastic schools as they play a notable role in providing basic education services.
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
In Myanmar, private tutoring is a widespread phenomenon for middle and high school students, primarily preparing for the matriculation examination at the end of high school. According to the UNESCO 2020 Shadow Education in Myanmar, 83.4% of Grade 9 students and 86.2% of Grade 11 students had received private supplementary tutoring within the previous 12 months. Alongside the data from students, 47.7% of sampled teachers indicated that they provided private supplementary tutoring. According to the ADB 2013 and 1992 Education Sector Study, private tutoring “crammer schools” is popular among middle and high school students in Myanmar.
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
According to the 2011 Private School Registration Law, anyone who has worked as a state-licensed translator and has at least five years of teaching experience is eligible to apply as a private tutor. A private tutor can continue to work as a tutor by paying the required annual fee for the relevant academic year. The education officer may notify the private teacher for failing to comply with any of the rules applicable to the private teacher. Private teacher registration can be suspended or revoked for a limited period of time.
