Nay Pyi Taw April 26
Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered an address at the coordination meeting to extend degree courses on economics and law at universities, at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Education, here, this morning.
Also present at the meeting were member of the Council Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, Daw Aye Nu Sein and U Moung Har, Union Ministers Dr Nyunt Pe and Dr Thet Khaing Win, deputy ministers, directors general, rectors and professors and officials.
In his speech, the Senior General said he has been holding meetings with relevant officials for educational reforms since assumption of the State duties. As Myanmar is on the track of democracy, every citizen needs to understand the laws. So, it is necessary to widely provide teaching on legal affairs. Likewise, development of the State needs economic growth. So, the economic sector needs to have plenty of educated persons with business knowledge. As such, efforts are being made to teach economics and law subjects which are essential for the State development at all universities.
Universities are hubs for turning out those with skillfulness in respective subjects. They have to apply knowledge from the learning at the universities in the practical fields for enhancement of social economic life. As such, they can enjoy benefits of uplifting social lives by applying the arts of law although every person cannot be a legal expert. Likewise, skillfulness in economics can effectively be applied in practical fields. Applying the knowledge from the subjects learnt at the universities can secure benefit in the practical fields.
Myanmar had only Yangon University in 1920. At that time, university students were esteemed by the people. And then, Mandalay University, Taunggyi College, Mawlamyine College, Pathein College, Myitkyina College and Sittway College were established one after another. And, these institutions were upgraded to universities. At present, universities have been opened in 24 regions. In the past, students wishing to learn economics and law subjects came to Yangon for learning. As students came across the nation, they lived in new environment. Those who tried hard in learning could achieve outstanding and success. Upon completion of university learning, some of them became officers at relevant departments and some worked in their respective businesses. Hence, some students who completed the university education could not become government service personnel.
There are some differences between basic education level and university level. At the basic education level, students are closely supervised by parents and teachers for their learning. But, university students need to have self-control. The basic education system is teaching as well as the university education is learning. Subjects of students of basic primary education are generally similar to the environment. Likewise, students of middle school education have to learn the subjects in conformity with their age and environs. As some students fail in the matriculation examination at the basic education high school level, some differences are based on their age. At the university level, students from day course and distance one have some differences in learning and environs. They have to pursue education as well as practical exercises and learning. The Senior General stressed the need to emphasize modernization of the libraries in universities. The Senior General urged them to arrange learning of youths to have genuine knowledge and skills at the universities.
With regard to teaching law at the universities, law subject is of importance for every citizen to live under laws and disciplines in democracy. Law is essential for operating social, economic and other affairs. Likewise, each citizen needs to have legal knowledge in administrative measures while those in the management field need to have skills of legal affairs. Knowledge about laws can be applied in the practical field. The Tatmadaw conducts law courses to senior military officers and junior officers and members of Myanmar Police Force.
Regarding study of economics, the Senior General said only if there are those having understanding of basic economic data and economy for national economy, will manufacturing sector improve. Due to wrong busi-ness management in the past, State economy failed. Therefore, citizens are urged to study economics as they need to have economic outlooks. Economics can be used in a practical field. Likewise, other subjects can be applied in their respective fields. Arts subjects are also very beneficial to the improvement of human philosophy. In teaching academic subjects, balanced teaching will contributes much towards the lives of students. In university education, future must be considered.
Measures are being taken for proportionate and equitable develop-ment of all parts of the country by bridging the gap between the regions and states and the gap between rural and urban areas. Peace, stability and security measures are also being taken for political stability and national development. To ensure stability in terms of security, efforts are being made to end armed insurgency of ethnic armed groups. Some conflict areas are facing difficulties with pursuance of education so the Tatmadaw has to provide assistance for some areas. Having a lot of educated people will facilitate regional development and improve knowledge. With knowledge and wisdom, thinking will improve thereby enabling the people to know the essence of peace and democracy. Thus, socio-economy will improve as well. The Senior General said he doesn’t want to see Myanmar citizens work as ordinary workers in other countries. Instead, he said he wants them to work and get rich in their own country. In the effort to make the people educated, teachers are teaching their students while respective administrative bodies also need to encourage them.
Regarding the CDM some civil servants are participating in, the Senior General said despite different political ideologies according to the democratic culture, civil servants must shoulder their duties no matter what government takes office. Civil servants are different from government staff. Tatmadaw and Myanmar Police Force members are civil servants responsible for national defence and the rule of law. Education staff are civil servants when it comes to the education of citizens and government employees when it comes to the administrative sector. Healthcare staff are also civil servants in the medical treatment field. In some countries also, there were some disagreements when elections took place under democratic system. Unlike in Myanmar, they had no CDM. They did not mix up their duty with politics. Civil servants and government staff need to stay away from politics.
Holding Our Three Main National Causes as a national duty, the Tatmadaw will without fail realize the national goal of building a union based on democracy and federalism. The problem stemming from the election will be solved in line with the law. Exercising democracy must be in accord with the law. It is necessary to do fair and sincere politics. Closure of schools causes losses to students and their parents as well as the State. Therefore, measures must be taken to reopen schools and universities in accord with the Covid-19 rules and disciplines for the continued education of students, the Senior General said.
Afterwards, Union Ministers Dr Nyunt Pe and Dr Thet Khaing Win and officials in attendance reported on teaching of law subjects at 14 of 24 universities zones and plans to continue teaching at the remaining 10, control of the Covid-19 outbreak and academic matters related to economics and law subjects The Senior General then fulfilled the needs and the meeting was concluded.
