Pyithu Hluttaw members discuss education and regulation of regional extractives

 August 14, 2017

Members of the Pyithu Hluttaw discussed matriculation examinations at Myanmar schools and the current state of conflict over Kachin’s natural resources during yesterday’s regular session in Nay Pyi Taw.

Deputy Minister for Education U Win Maw Tun said that Myanmar’s matriculation exams are prepared by a committee of university academics, while senior assistant teachers are charged with correcting the papers.

U Win Maw Tun also said that the Ministry of Education has been appointing teaching staff at Basic Education Schools, depending upon funding resources. He said that there is currently no plan to appoint more librarians.

A separate discussion addressed Union responsibilities to supervise gold and amber mining in Tanai and Phakant townships in Kachin State.

U Enthonkha Nawsam of Myitkyina constituency of Kachin said that all natural resources belong to the state, means that it should be required to enforce laws governing extractives.

“Various ethnic groups rush to Kachin to settle, as it is a place of producing resources,” U Enthonkha Nawsam said.

“So, the region sees robberies, drug trafficking, tax levies, extortion rackets, human rights violations and illegal mining Hence, there is a need for the Government or the State Cabinet to deal these problems effectively.”

Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Ohn Win said: “In future, the Kachin State Cabinet can stop illegal mining of gold and amber by allowing small jewellery businesses and job hunters at gold and amber rushes to do business legally by the Kachin State Government.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation will cooperate with the State Cabinet, in accord with the prescription in Myanmar Gems Law.”

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar