English matriculation exam discussed by Hluttaw

 June 15, 2017

The current English examination required for matriculation by Myanmar students will be reviewed by language experts and professors in an effort to change it into a questionnaire that measures language skills, including grammar, by the end of the 2017-2018 academic year, said Deputy Minister for Education U Win Maw Tun at the Pyithu Hluttaw meeting yesterday.

The deputy minister was responding to a question by U Min Thine of Bogale constituency on plans to change the matriculation English examination.

Deputy Minister U Win Maw Tun also said a new curriculum for KG in a new education setup (KG+12) that is in accord with National Education Law and a bill to amend the National Education Law was implemented starting in academic year 2016-2017. Drawing up the new curriculum will start from academic year 2017-2018 to 2021-2022 for primary level grade one to grade five, from academic year 2019-2020 to 2022-2023 for middle level grade six to grade nine and from education year 2020-2021 to 2022-2023 for high level grade 10 to grade 12 added the deputy minister.

Outcomes from drawing up a new curriculum – the new curriculum, curriculum frame, teaching method, questions based on testing and assessing method – will also be modified to be in line with the new curriculum. Implementing to achieve the aim of a subject requires systematic preparation of the essentials, explained the deputy minister.

Responding to a question by U Moe Shwe of Putao constituency on providing new buildings for Mamein Basic Education Middle School (sub), Lemewakyi Post Primary School and Mamein Shidi Basic Education Primary School, Deputy Minister U Win Maw Tun said Ks46.8 million was allocated in FY 2017-2018 to construct a 120 ft x 30 ft single-storey brick building with zinc roofing for Mamein Basic Education Middle School (sub) in Putao Township, Kachin State.

Post Primary School in Lemewakyi village, Basic Education Primary School in Mamein Shidi village and Basic Education Primary School in Doattan village were not on the priority list compared with other schools when last year’s budget was prepared. When the 2018-2019 budget is prepared, priority will be given to make major renovations or determine which school buildings as dangerous, then demolish and construct new building based on the situation of these three schools, answered the deputy minister.

The deputy minister also responded to a question by Dr. Oo Lin Lin Kyaw of Myittha constituency and U Aung Soe of Yinmabin constituency on displaying the name of the original poet and original words of the poem “Aung San zarni” in the third-grade Myanmar reader.

Sixteen hluttaw representatives – Dr. U Than Aung Soe of Minhla constituency, Dr. Daw Khin Soe Soe Kyi of Pyay constituency, U Myint Lwin of Twante constituency, Dr. U Sein Mya Aye of Dala constituency, U Kyaw Aung Lwin of Sedoktara constituency, U Sai Oo Kham of Hsenwi constituency, U Nan Mon Htin of Machanbaw constituency, U Myint Oo of Magway constituency, U Shwe Hla @ U Shwe Hla Win of Thingangyun constituency, U Myo Naing of Chanayethazan constituency, U Saw Victor Clyde of Thandaunggyi constituency, U Saw Kyaw Win Maung of Kyaikmaraw constituency, U Oo Tun Maung of Ponnagyun constituency, U Maung Maung of Htigyaing constituency, Dr. Daw A Zin Lat of Shwebo constituency and Daw Wint Wa Tun of Shadaw constituency debated a motion by U Yan Lin of Kyaiklat constituency to include consumer education subject to middle school grades 6, 7 and 8 that will increase consumers’ knowledge enabling to selectively avoid dangerous food, fake medicines and poor services resulting in such goods and services automatically disappearing.

With regards to the motion, Deputy Minister U Win Maw Tun said the Ministry of Education is disseminating information about the Food and Drugs Administration’s official announcements on foods, drugs and cosmetics that are not fit for consumption to schools through the state and region education offices in order for students and their parents to avoid them.

The new curriculum that is being drawn up includes the subject of consumer education that will be understandable and appropriate for the students’ age, knowledge and understanding level as well as teachings about foods, drugs and services that are not fit for consumption, and selecting healthy and appropriate foods and drugs. The subject will be taught after obtaining confirmation from National Curriculum Committee through the National Education Policy Commission.
At the basic education level, there is no subject titled Consumer Education, but in the present Experiences for Life subject as well as subjects in the new curriculum being drawn up will include knowledge on this matter and the Deputy Minister support to put the motion on record.

The Hluttaw then decided to put the motion on record. In yesterday’s meeting, the annual report of the Pyithu Hluttaw health and sports development committee was read, a notification of the receipt of the bill to repeal the oversight of the people’s auditor act confirmed without amendment by Amyotha Hluttaw and a report was read.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar