NAY PYI TAW, July 7
Students, teachers, parents and administrative officials dubbed as educational triangular must be strong in improving necessary technologies for the State and human resources. Students must be knowledgeable in learning education; teachers must teach pupils to have education; parents should encourage their offspring; and administrative officials must create the comprehensive learning environs with physical development and teaching aid to be able to enjoy peace, security measures and happiness. As such, education sector would meet development for new generation youths. Although education systems are changed, students need to actually have knowledge in learning in respective grades,said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the ceremony to honour outstanding servicemen,offspring of servicemen and those of war veterans who passed the matriculation examination in 2018-2019 academic year and all-round outstanding youths at Zeyathiri Beikman, here, this afternoon.
Also present at the ceremony togetherwith the Senior General were his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief(Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, the Union Minister for Home Affairs and wife, the Union Minister for Defence and wife, the Union Minister for Border Affairs and wife, the Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air)and wife, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy)and wife, the Commander-in-Chief (Air)and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and wives,Chairman of Central Executive Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Maj-Gen Mya Win (Retd), the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, Director General Dr Zaw Win of the Ministry of Education,prize winning servicemen and students,parents, teachers and guests.
In his speech, the Senior General said that today’s global countries are striving for development of their countries to be able to overcome challenges in education age. No matter how plentiful natural resources a country possesses, it cannot successfully carry out development tasks if it does not have human resources. Hence, it can be seen that global countries focus on enhancement of education sector for new generation youths to have plentiful of human resources. Today’s youths are new generations for shaping the future State. The youths who outstandingly passed the basic education must pursue high education. At this juncture, the youths need to hold up diligence, perseverance and endeavour in learning. The Senior General urged them to make studies on general knowledge apart from respective subjectwise curricula. Education is an endless and deep arena without frames. Depending on intellect and intelligent powers, youths will be outstanding. Youths need to notice that those in continuous learning will be more outstanding than others.
The Senior General continued to say that building of a modern, developed nation cannot be based on intellect alone as well as intelligence alone. Only when those who have intellect and intelligence thoroughly, will they build a modern, developed society. Based on intellects in the practical field, the youths as intelligentsia need to serve interest of the people. The best friend for intellect and intelligence is good literature. The Senior General urged them to read literatures benefi cial to them.
The Senior General noted that one of the reasons which are hindrances to learning is individual health. He called for systematic undertakings of foods, lifestyle and sport activities to support the education and keeping themselves away from drinking alcohol, betel quid, cigarette and narcotic drugs which destroy morale and morality.The Senior General deeply urged students,parents, teachers, officials and all the people to join hands with conscientiousness in keeping drug free schools, villages, wards,towns and country for the youths. As physical education is set as a section in timetables on a weekly basis, students should take sport events as they like under systematic training of physical education teachers in the physical education section to be able to enjoy health and joyfulness.
The Senior General said that based on data of those who passed the matriculation examination in 2019, the assessment on education of Myanmar showed that 1,218,808 students started learning of Kindergarten in 2008-2009 academic year. Among them, a total of 712,958 students reached the grade 6, accounting for 58.50 percent of rising of learning in grade and 41.50 percent of students failed. As a total of 562,731 students could learn grade 10 of high school education from the middle school education, such number was accounted for 46.17 percent, leaving 53.83 percent in failure. Those who passed the grade 10 exam to attend the matriculation classes amounted to 493,837, accounting for 40.51 percent. A total of 851,524 external and internal students set the matriculation examination in 2018-2019 academic year and 267,696 students passed the examination,accounting for 31.44 percent. Hence, as 41.5 percent of students were left in the primary education and 12.33 percent in the middle education, it can be seen that number of students who could reach the high school education and university education passing primary and middle education are still lesser in the education sector within a decade. That is why it can be reviewed that the country needs a large number of educated persons.Thus, it needs to give encouragement for development of learning from primary to middle school education for the first phase and give a helping hand to students for ensuring high changes of learning from middle to high school education.
Though the exam pass rates in primary and middle school levels and of ninth grade in 2018-2019 academic year were almost 100 percent, the pass rate of matriculation exam was just 31.44 percent, highlighting the need to find out if the students did not really learn in their previous grades, and if there are other weaknesses. Especially, it is important to ensure everyone has access to schooling and achieve higher levels of education. Studentcentered approach was introduced when the new education system of KG+12 replaced the old one 2016-2017 academic year. Till 2018-2019 academic year, the teaching was focused on six areas in KG, Grade-1 and Grade-2 without an exam, and the verbal,reading and writing skills of students were assessed by their teachers who decide if they are qualified for the next grade. In switching to the new education system,there is a need to consider the fact that there is a gap of two years between the past’s matriculation level and the present’s Grade-12. No matter how high the pass rates are from the KG to Grade-12, it is not possible to turn out the educated, necessary for the country, if pass rate of matriculation exam is low.No matter how education systems are changed, it is important that teachers make sure students gain the thorough knowledge of their grades. Rather than pointing the finger of blame at the past, it is important to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the past, and make necessary changes at present to ensure better future.
Students, who will lead the country in the future, must assess the past, realize the present’s reality,and cherish ambition for the future,in their continued study. As great diligence is the key to success, if students combine their diligence with patriotic spirit, Myanmar will be able to catch up with developed countries of the world in short time.While the past rate of matriculation exam in 2018-2019 academic year was 31.44 percent, some individual Tatmadaw education schools and Tatmadaw basic education high schools achieved over 50 percent pass rate. It is a matter for pride that Basic Education High School No. 2 Mingaladon, one of the basic education high schools of Tatamdaw,topped the list of the whole country with the pass rate of 88.05 percent in matriculation exam. Similarly Tatmadaw Education School No.3,achieved the top pass rate among Tatmadaw education schools with 55 percent. He praised the efforts made by all those concerned of the schools including BEHS No. 2 Mingaladon and Tatmadaw Education School No. 3 which achieved high exam pass rates. Schools that saw low exam pass rate have to take cue from those schools and make efforts to obtain similar achievements.
A total of 19,070 children of active and retired service personnel sit the 2018-2019 matriculation examination, and 6,274 of them passed the exam and of them awards will be presented to 304 students who achieved three distinctions and above, 32 soldiers from Tatmadaw education schools, 36 all-round outstanding youth award winners selected by the government, five who won prizes in article, essay, painting and cartoon contests and 83 who won university scholarships. Tatmadaw has presented scholarships for children of active and retired service personnel since 2013-2014 academic year based on the grades they scored in the matriculation examination,and till 2017-2018 academic year,scholarships were awarded for 407 individuals qualified to attend medical universities, dental medicine universities, technological universities,universities of computer science,universities of economics, education universities, agriculture university,university of veterinary science, arts and science, Myanmar Maritime University and Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University. Nineteen of them have graduated to date.Besides the students who performed brilliantly, the Tatmadaw BEHS and Tatmadaw Education School that achieve high exam pass rates will also be awarded accordingly.
Regarding the promotion of education qualifications of Tatmadawmen,105 soldiers passed the matriculation exam and 26 of them obtained distinctions in 2017-2018 academic year. In 2018-2019 academic year, 123 passed matriculation,and 32 won distinctions—an increase by six in number of distinction-winners compared to the previous year. The number of soldiers who sit for matriculation examination is increasing yearly, and the number of those who pass it has also increased,the Senior General expressed his satisfaction, urging them to pursue higher education and complete degree courses.
As Tatmadaw is providing support,parents and teachers should teach their children and pupils in accordance with traditional duties of parenthood and teacher so that they will be shaped as good children and pupils. Students are also practise as they are traditionally obliged to their parents and teachers,and continue studying hard. And students in pursuing higher level of education, make sure they have a good beginning and good ending.Every country has its own culture,and copying different cultures like writing an unrhythmic poem, which can eventually result in extinction of own race. So, it is important that students only learn the education of developed countries, and not others. There is a need to engage in continuous learning of skills and expertise that are required by the age, considering political, economic,and social and educational aspects that change with time.
Youths must be strong in morality and keep themselves to be fit and healthy. Youths must have sense of social welfare and must stay together in unity. Youths are required to be proficient in all subjects in addition to be outstanding in the school lessons, said the Senior General. Youths must try to learn to intellect and intelligence to keep abreast of the world nations of today in a short time. The State and the Tatmadaw are encouraging and supporting the students. Youths should also make efforts in serving the interests of the State and the people through nationalistic spirit.Each and every time, youths should have an ambition to be the best for the future reviewing the past and realizing the truth of the present time. The parents and the teachers should teach and guide their children and their students in line with parents’ and teachers’ ethics. The new generation students of the State ought to make efforts whatever they do hoping the future since now as they are all-round outstanding youths, said the Senior General.
Next, Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Hsan Oo presented reports on the outstanding prizes honoured to the servicemen and the children of Tatmadaw family members who passed the matriculation exam with flying colours in 2018-2019 academic years, the children of war veterans, all-round outstanding youths, and those who won in article, essay, painting and cartoon competitions at the State level, and the outstanding students who won university scholarships in 2019-2020 academic year.
Afterwards, the prize presentation ceremony followed. The Senior General presented honorary prizes and certifi cates of honour to the incharge officers of school administration from No 2 BEHS (Mingaladon)Aung San Thuriya Hla Thaung School that stood in the first-place in pass rate, BEHS (Shwenettaung)that stood in the second place and No 2 BEHS (Hsenwi) that stood in the third place in the pass rate in the 2018-2019 academic years, the school heads from No 3 Tatmadaw Education School (Aungban) that won the best pass rate, No 2 Tatmadaw Education School (Meikhtila) that won the second best pass rate and No 6 Tatmadaw Education School (Mawlamyine), the third and cash prizes to the responsible persons for 26 Tatmadaw Basic Education High Schools and nine Tatmadaw Education Schools.
Then, the Senior General presents honorary medals, prizes and certificates of honour to six-distinction winners—Maung Nyan Lin Htut,son of Colonel Thein Htoo, Maung Thuta Nyan, son of Colonel Zaw Win Tun, Maung Min Ko Han, son of Major Ba Yi, Maung Ye Lin Soe (a)Maung Ye Yint Naing Soe, son of Major Than Htike Soe, Maung Myat Thura, son of Warrant Officer Maung Myint, Maung Aung Phone Myat, son of Corporal Tun Lin in the matriculation exam of 2018-2019 academic year and Ma Hsu Lin Htet,daughter of Major Aung Ko Ko Thwin, who won the first prize in the central level of Grade-5 English Proficiency Competition in 2018-2019 academic year.
Afterwards, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla,wife of the Senior General, presented honorary medals, prizes and certificates of honour to six-distinction winners—Ma Hsu Shoon Lei Lei Phyo, daughter of Lt-Col Aye Thein,Ma Kyi Shin Khant, daughter of Lt-Col Win Naing, Ma May Phyo Thu, daugher of Lt-Col Phyo Min Soe, Ma May Myint Myat Maung,daughter of Lt-Col Nyunt Nwe, Ma Hsu Wai Phyo, daughter of Major Sein Tun, Ma Nay Wadi Hlaing,daughter of Major Daw Khin Moe Win, Ma Htet Shwe Yi Shoon,daughter of warrant officer Zaw Zaw, Ma Hsu Wai Phyo, daughter of Warrant Officer Soe Naing, Ma Aye Nyein San, daughter of Warrant Officer Kyaw Swa Win, Ma Saw Hla Nanda, daughter of Warrant Officer Thein Zaw, Ma Yin Min Aye,daughter of Sergeant Major Tun Tun and Ma Eint Phu Thaw Shin,daughter of Captain San Htwe (Retd),who won the first prize in article competition to mark International Day against Corruption.
Next, Vice-Senior General Soe Win presented honorary medals,prizes and certificates of honour to six-distinction winners—Maung Ye Yint Phone Myint, son of Lecturer Daw Aye Aye Lwin, Maung Wint Moe Aung, son of Lt-Col Khin Maung Hlaing (Retd), Maung Pyae Sone Phyo, son of Lt-Col Thet Myo Win (Retd), Maung Kaung Myat Htut, son of Major Myo Htut Win(Retd), Maung Min Aung Paing,son of Major Toe Min Tun (Retd),Maung Aung Thiha Soe, son of Captain Soe Myint (Retd), Maung Pyae Phone Paing, son of Captain Maung Maung Lat (Retd), Maung Khant Nyi Nyi Aung, son of Captain Aung Kyaw Myint (Retd), Maung Thet Swe Lin, son of Captain Aung Zaw Win (Retd), Maung Kyaw Zin Min, son of Captain Htay Myaing(Retd), Maung Aung Phone Maw,son of Captain Hein Thant (Retd),Maung Lwin Phone Myint, son of Warrant Officer II Khin Maung Oo(Retd) and Maung La Min Tun,son of Lt-Col Min Naing Soe, who won the third prize in American Mathematics Olympiad 2018.
Then, Daw Than Than Nwe,wife of Vice-Senior General Soe Win, presented honorary medals,prizes and certificates of honour to six-distinction winners—Ma Shin Moe Yan, daughter of Major Moe Kyaw Swa (Retd), Ma Shoon Lei Phyo Thaw, daughter of Major Kyaw Hsan Htoo (Retd) , Ma Mya Phone Moh, daugher of Major Pyae Lin (Retd), Ma Ei Thinzar Myint,daughter of Captain Maung Win(Retd), Ma Phyo Thiri Lwin, daughter of Captain Tint Lwin (Retd), Ma Myat Theingi, daughter of Captain Win Naing Lin (Retd), Ma Zun Lei Phyu, daughter of Captain Tin Oo (Retd), Ma Hsu Yi Mon Phyo,daughter of Captain Than Naing(Retd), Ma Myint Myat Shwe Yi,daughter of Sergeant Myint Zaw(Retd), Ma May Hsin Thit, daughter of Colonel Aung Kyaw Tun, who Bronze Awards in Southeast Asian Mathematical Olympiad 2018 and Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad 2018-2019 and Ma Htet Htet Zaw Myint, daughter of Warrant Officer II Aung Zaw Myint (Retd), who third prize in G-9 English Profi ciency Contest at the national level for 2018-2019 academic year.
Next, Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, Union Minister for Home Affairs, presented honorary prizes and certificates of honour to 11 five-distinction winners, Daw Win Win Maw, wife of Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe to 11 fi vedistinction winners, Lt-Gen Sein Win, Union Minister for Defence to 11 five-distinction winners, Daw Myint Myint Aye, wife of Lt-Gen Sein Win, to 12 five-distinction winners, Lt-Gen Ye Aung, Union Minister for Border Affairs, to 13 five-distinction winners and Daw Khaing May Kyu, wife of Lt-Gen Ye Aung, to 13 five-distinction winners.
Then, Chief of the General Staff(Army, Navy and Air) General Mya Tun Oo presented honourary prizes and certificates of honour to 12 fourdistinction winners, his wife Daw Thet Thet Aung, 12 four-distinction winners, Commander-in-Chief(Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San, 12 four-distinction winners, his wife Daw Than Than Aye, 12 four-distinction winners, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw, 13 four-distinction winners,and his wife Daw Aung Mar Myint,13 four-distinction winners.
Next, Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) presented honourary prizes and certificates of honours to 13 four-distinction winners, Lt-Gen Than Tun Oo, 13 three-distinction winners, Lt-Gen Aye Win, 13 three-distinction winners, Lt-Gen Aung Soe, 13 three-distinction winners,Lt-Gen Myo Zaw Thein, 12 three-distinction winners, and Lt-Gen Win Bo Shein, 12 three-distinction winners.
Afterwards, honourary prizes and certificates of honour were presented to 16 distinction-winning servicemen by Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Hsan Oo,further 16 distinction-winning servicemen by Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Nyo Saw, 13 three-distinction winners by Lt-Gen Min Naung,further 13 three-distinction winners by Lt-Gen Lu Aye, additional 13 three-distinction winners by Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dway, ten all-round outstanding youths by Lt-Gen Tin Maung Win, further ten all-round outstanding youths by Lt-Gen Soe Htut, ten more all-round outstanding youths by Lt-Gen Maung Maung Aye, 16 vocational university scholarship award winners by Lt-Gen Kan Myint Than, further 16 vocational university scholarship award winners by Lt-Gen Min Naing, 16 more higher education vocational university scholarship award winners by Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, 17 higher education vocational university scholarship award winners by Vice-Admiral Moe Aung, and further 17 higher education vocational university scholarship award winners by Lt-Gen Tun Aung.
Following the presentation of prizes, Ma Cho Cho Hnin Aung, on behalf of the distinction winning and outstanding students and military personnel, spoke words of thanks.
Then, the Senior General and party posed for documentary photo together with the prize winning students and all-round outstanding youths.
Next, those present at the ceremony,prize winning military personnel and students, parents and teachers were served with foods. Meanwhile, the Myawady modern music band played the youth honorary songs. After the entertainment programme, the Senior General and party cordially greeted the prize winning military personnel, students and their parents.
At today’s prize presentation ceremony, gold medals, honorary medals and certificate of honour were presented to three best pass rate winning Tatmadaw Basic Education High Schools and three best pass rate winning Tatmadaw Education Schools, 32 military personnel who won one and two distinctions each, and outstanding students who are offspring of Tatmadaw families, war veterans and military personnel-substitute civilian servants,including 38 six-distinction winners,72 five-distinction winners, 88 four-distinction winners, 106 three-distinction winners, 36 state-level all-round outstanding students, five winners in the State-level article/essay contests, and 83 students of Tatmadaw families and war veterans in winning higher education level vocational university scholarship awards, totalling 460. Likewise,K-110,000 per one distinction was awarded in distance to 693 one-distinction winners and 207 two-distinction winners, totalling 900 winners, who are offspring of Tatmadaw families and war veteran families with the cash donations of well-wishers.
The prize presentation ceremony has been held since the 2011- 2012 academic year for honouring the outstanding military personnel and offspring of Tatmadaw families and those of war veteran families in the matriculation examination and offspring of military personnelsubstitute civilian servants. This was the eighth time of its kind. So far, gold medals and cash awards were presented to 316 six-distinction winners, 646 five-distinction winners, 1,038 four-distinction winners, and 1,195 three-distinction winners, 1,563 two-distinction winners and 5,403 one-distinction winners in total. Starting the 2014-2015 academic year, higher education level vocational university scholarship awards were also given to the outstanding students.Monthly stipends are being given to a total of 488 students, including 72 students in 2014, 86 in 2015, 82 in 2016, 81 in 2017, 84 in 2018,and 83 in the current year. Of them,outstanding military personnel and all-round outstanding youths have been sent abroad as excursion trips since 2013. Arrangements for more overseas excursion trips will be arranged this year.
