Lawmakers Grill Govt on Jobs, Healthcare, Education and Infrastructure in Pyithu Hluttaw

 

The Third Pyithu Hluttaw debated a broad range of public concerns during the 22nd day of its second regular session, with lawmakers questioning the government on employment, healthcare, education, infrastructure, markets and regional development. Union Ministers and deputy ministers responded by outlining current policies and plans, while several proposals were ruled out for the time being due to budgetary, staffing or administrative constraints.

The session opened with Daw Nan Tin Oo, MP for the Kehsi Constituency, asking what measures were being taken to create more domestic employment opportunities to reduce the growing number of young people leaving Myanmar for work abroad. Deputy Minister for Labour U Maung Maung Than said the ministry was promoting jobs through the expansion of agriculture, livestock, manufacturing and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), while also encouraging investments capable of generating more employment.

Education and technical training featured prominently in the debate. U Soe Win, MP for the Mohnyin Constituency, asked whether Mohnyin Government Technical Institute (GTI) would be upgraded to Government Technological College (GTC), but Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Myo Thein Kyaw said there were no such plans, arguing that the existing GTI system already offers strong vocational training and pathways to higher qualifications.

U Aung Win Swe, MP for the Myanaung Constituency, also asked about establishing a GTC or GTI in Kanaung, but the ministry said no new institution had yet been approved. Meanwhile, U Kaung Thet San, MP for the Hsipaw Constituency, sought assurances that more basic education schools would reopen next academic year and that additional teachers would be deployed. Deputy Minister for Education U Nay Myo Hlaing said school reopening would depend on local security conditions and approval from relevant authorities, with staffing to be strengthened as needed. Daw Khin Saw Mu, MP for the Kangyidaunt Constituency, also requested an update on 72 unfinished school building projects in Ayeyawady Region, with the ministry saying completion would depend on revised project costs and future budget allocations.

Healthcare issues were raised by U Saw Hae Thar Gyi, MP for the Thantaunggyi Constituency, who asked when the 25-bed Thandaung People’s Hospital would reopen. Deputy Minister for Health Dr Aye Tun said the hospital remained closed after staff left their posts in 2022 and that repairs, equipment replacement and security coordination were still required before services could resume. U Myo Myint Thein, MP for the Wundwin Constituency, requested that Tamagon Rural Health Centre be upgraded to a station hospital and called for more medical staff and medicines. The ministry replied that staffing and essential medicines were being supplied, but the proposed upgrade could not yet be implemented. Economic development also dominated the session. U Thet Pon, MP for the Sagaing Constituency, asked whether an official gemstone market would be reopened in Sagaing, but Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Latt Gyi said the ministry would only consider the proposal after regional stability and reconstruction efforts had progressed. Dr Nay Lin, MP for the Hmawby Constituency, requested information on bamboo exports and government assistance for MSMEs seeking overseas markets. Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr Thaung Naing Oo said Myanmar exports bamboo products to several countries and is helping producers connect with foreign buyers and commercial attachés. U Htun Htun Moe, MP for the Yedashe Constituency, proposed allocating residential land plots for retiring civil servants, while U Khin Maung Chin, MP for the Myawady Constituency, called for more tax-free markets and measures to reduce unofficial charges imposed on locally produced goods during transportation. Member of the Nay Pyi Taw Council U Win Moe Khaing said tax-free markets already operate in several regions and states and maintained that only legally authorized tolls are collected on roads, adding that any illegal collection of money would be subject to disciplinary and legal action.

The session also included questions from U San Myint of the Myittha Constituency, U Htun Htun Naing from the Singaing Constituency, U Khin Maung Myint from the Taikkyi Constituency, and U Hla Khaing from the Zalun Constituency, who sought improvements to roads and bridges in their respective townships. Deputy Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Thaik Soe said most projects would depend on future budget allocations and regional development priorities.

The parliamentary session was then adjourned and will resume on 15 July.

MNA/ST

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar