NAY PYI TAW July 23
Youths must try to improvethe country’s image beginning from the stage of bringing honour to their families and schools. They must try to be good students as they will become the country’s leaders one day. They must become good teachers or leaders who maintain discipline in the future through ongoing efforts, said Chairman of State Administration Council Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the ceremony to honour soldiers, children of servicemen/ servicewomen and war veterans, children of civilian substitute-appointed staff, who passed the matriculation examinations for academic years 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 with outstanding results and outstanding youths at Zeyathiri Villa here this afternoon.
Also present together with the Senior General were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, SAC members and their wives, the SAC secretary and wife, the SAC joint secretary and wife, Union ministers and their wives, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, Chairman of Central Executive Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organizations Lt-Gen Sein Win (Retired) and wife, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander and wife, prize winner soldiers, students, parents, teachers and special guests.
The Senior General said new generation youths have been honoured annually since academic year 2011-2012 to enhance their love for education and will to try hard. However, the ceremony could not be held in the previous years because of COVID-19. So, the outstanding ones during the two years were honoured at the ceremony.
The sayings “The wise always stand tall” and “Wisdom cannot be stolen” indicate the importance of knowledge. Other slogans, poems and verses also highlight the important role of knowledge. A balanced education system has been installed through the curriculums that meet the demands of the age.
In addition, the qualifications of teachers could also be promoted.
The government and the Tatmadaw have been making concerted efforts for cementing the corporation among parents, teachers, students and officials and infrastructure improvement.
Every country accepts human resources as the foundation of continuous education development.
Human resources is centered on the knowledge. So, investment in education must be prioritized. The Section 28 (c) of the Constitution states, “The Union shall implement free, compulsory primary education system;” and the Section 366, “Every citizen, in accord with the educational policy laid down by the Union: (a) has the right to education; (b) shall be given basic education which
the Union prescribes by law as compulsory;”
A study of the country’s education sector based on 2022 matriculation examination pass rates shows that the students at the ceremony are included in the 1,187,392 students that enrolled in KG during the academic year 2010-2011. Of them 808,878 or 68.12 percent reached middle school level and 31.88 percent ended their studies in the primary school stage.
Of those middle school students, 585,182 or 49.28 percent reached the ninth standard and 50.72 percent were left behind.
Only 232,148 of them reached matric, which is 19.55 percent of the students that enrolled in KG. So, 80.45 percent of them did not reached matric. Of the 281,751 students that entered the matriculation examination of the academic year 2021-2022 through formal and non-formal education, 132,077 or 46.88 percent passed. So, 31.88 percent in primary level did not reach the middle school level and 27.65 percent in middle school level did not reach the high school level.
The number of students who reached the high school level and university from primary and middle school levels during the ten-year period is very few With this rate, the country will still face a shortage of educated persons in the coming decades.
The matriculation examination pass rate of the entire country for the academic year 2021-2022 is 46.88 percent. The pass rates of some of the Tatmadaw education schools and Tatmadaw basic education schools exceeded 45 percent.
The pass rate of Basic Education High School (2) in Mingaladon Township, one of the Tatmadaw BEHSs, was 88.38 percent and that of No 2 Tatmadaw education school was 88.24 percent.
It is an honour for them.
The Senior General honoured the inclusive efforts of all the schools including the said two schools with high pass rates. He said schools with falling pass rates should emulate them.
Looking at the achievement of personnel and offspring of personnel, war veterans and personnel-substitute civilians in matriculation examinations in the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 academic years, I am proud to say that there were 83 sixdistinction winners, 191 fivedistinction winners, 274 fourdistinction winners, 427 threedistinction winners, 790 twodistinction winners and 2,909 one-distinction winners in addition to one personnel who won three distinctions, six personnel who won two distinctions and 134 personnel who won one distinction. It can be said that the progress of educational achievements has gained momentum year by year as there were all round outstanding prize winners, 11 prize-winners in the state-level article, essay, painting and cartoon competitions and 85 students who won university scholarships. Therefore, it must be said that the Tatmadaw is awarding honorary prizes to those who deserve.
At the ceremony today, prizes will be presented to 75 sixdistinction winners, 178 fivedistinction winners, six personnel who won two distinctions and 16 all round outstanding prize winners and prizes for the rest of the winners will be awarded at respective regional military commands. In addition to outstanding students, the Tatmadaw Basic Education High School and Tatmadaw Education Schools, which won the highest pass-rates, will also be awarded with honorary prizes.
As the Tatmadaw has awarded university scholarships to offspring of personnel and war veterans since the 2013-2014 academic year based on their highest total marks they won in matriculation examinations, the scholarships have been awarded to 489 students from universities of medicine, dental medicine, higher education, computer technology, economics, education, agriculture, veterinary medicine, arts and science, maritime and aerospace engineering as of the 2018-2019 academic year.
In moving forward to the future of life in accordance with the saying “Discipline can express the value of a person,” the motto “National discipline begins in schools,” which students learnt in classrooms, should be borne in mind. The students are able to attend the ceremony as they exerted efforts in accordance
with high standards of discipline and ethical principle under the guidance of parents and teachers. The students are urged to try to be teachers and leaders with high standards of discipline in the same way as they did during their studentlives because they will become the leaders of the country in the future.
The progress of the world is the result of the innovation of mankind and development of engineering, technology, space technology and medical technology in respective eras stemmed from education. It can be seen that one of the nine objectives of the SAC is “To enhance the health, fitness and education quality of the entire nation.” It was learnt that only one-third of the population of Myanmar were able to study up to the middle school level, according to the 2014 population census and the 2019 interim population census. Therefore, the government is taking measures to implement the new KG+12 education system and to enable all children of school age to study up to KG+9 middle level although the compulsory education requirement is stipulated up to the primary education level in the constitution.
Bearing in mind the teaching of the Marga Deva that “If one is full of wisdom and beautiful in heart, one can make a breakthrough in matters of small or great importance like a chisel”, students are required to move forward to the future with the appreciation of wisdom and one’s own convictions. It is necessary for all to always try to lead lives full of wisdom and ethics. Only then, will the students become people who apply one’s education correctly.
It is important for all to continue to exert efforts in studying academic disciplines based on one’s own convictions. Students are required to make efforts to acquire technologies while not to be weak in wisdom by upholding the genuine patriotism.
In conclusion, the Senior General urged the students to try to be Myanmar youths of whom one’s family, school and country can be proud of.
Then, Adjutant General Lt-Gen Myo Zaw Thein reported to the Senior General on achievements of personnel and offspring of personnel, war veterans and personnel-substitute civilians who won more than five distinctions in matriculation examinations in the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 academic years, Tatmadaw Education Schools and Tatmadaw Basic Education Schools which won the first, second and third prizes among the school with the highest pass-rates and all-round outstanding students.
Afterwards, the prize presentation ceremony was held and the Senior General presented the first prize the highest passrate and the certificate of honour to administrative officers of No. (2) Mingaladon Township Basic Education High School, also known as the Aung San Thuriya Hla Thaung School, and the second prize and the certificate of honour for the second highest pass-rate to administrative officers of the Basic Education High School (Shwe Nattaung) in the 2019- 2020 and 2021-2022 academic years among the Tatmadaw Basic Education Schools under the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare, the third prize for highest pass-rate in the 2019-2020 academic year and the certificate of honour and the first prize for the highest passrate in the 2021-2022 academic year among Tatmadaw Education Schools and the certificate of honour to the principal of No.(2) Education School (Meiktila), the second prize for highest pass-rate in the 2019-2020 academic year and the certificate of honour and the third prize for the highest pass-rate in the 2021-2022 academic year and the certificates of honour to the principal of No. (5) Education School (Taungoo), the third prize and the certificate of honour for highest pass-rate in the 2019-2020 academic year and the first prize for the highest pass-rateand the certificate of honour in the 2021-2022 academic year to the principal of No.(2) Education School (Meiktila) and the second prize for the highest pass-rate and certificate of honour in the 2019-2020 academic year and the third prize for the highest pass-rate and the certificate of honour for the 2020-2021 academic year to the principal of No.(5) Education School (Taungoo).
Then, the Senior General presented honorary medals, prizes and certificates of honour to Maung Zay Lin Let, son of Lt- Col Aung Min, and Maung Ye Yint Min Htet, son of Staff Sgt Min Aung, and Ma Thon Poe Yati, daughter of Capt Thet Naing Win (Retd), for winning all-round outstanding prizes, Maung Pyay Lin Thant, son of Col Daw Tin Mar Yi, Ma Pan Pyae Thakhin, daughter of Capt Kyaw Kyaw Aung (Retd) and Ma Yuan Nadi Aung, daughter of WO-II Tin Tun for winning six distinctions in the 2021-2022 academic year.
Daw Kyu Kyu Hla presented honorary medals, awards and certificates to Ma Shoon Lae Maung, daughter of sergeant/ clerk Tin Nating, Ma May Hsin Thit, daughter of Col Aung Kyaw Tun, Ma Shwe Pyae Shan Oo, daughter of deputy warrant officer Than Zaw, Maung Myat Min Thant, son of Lt-Col Tin Zaw Lat and Ma Myat Moe Thu, daughter of military-appointed civilian staff Daw Swe Swe Win, for all-round outstanding youth awards and Ma Moe Pyae Thitsa Naing, daughter of Lt-Col Tha Moe, Ma Nyo Le Nadi, daughter of Lt-Col Tha Htoo Win, Maung Hein Htet Zaw, son of Col Min Min Tun, Maung Yan Naing Aung, son of Lt-Col Kyaw Zin Win and Ma Ywin Wai Thali, daughter of military-appointed civilian staff U Aung Myint, for passing matriculation with six distinctions in 2021-2022 academic year.
Vice-Senior General Soe Winpresented honorary awards and certificates to heads of No. 11 School (Monywa) and No.9 School from Tatmadaw education schools that achieved first and second pass rates respectively for 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 respectively and incharges of No.1 BEHS (Nay Pyi Taw) and BEHS (Hsenwi) that achieved third and first pass rates for 2021-2022 and 2019-2020 respectively.
He then continued to present honorary medals, awards and certificates to Maung Min Khant Thway, son of warrant officer Than Win Khaing, Ma Htet Nanda Lin, daughter of Capt Kyi Aung (Retd), Maung Zin Moe Myint, and son of Capt Win Swe (Retd) for all-round outstanding youth awards and Ma Theint Shoo Lae, daughter of Maj Khin Maung Tint, Ma Htet Wai Phyo, daughter of lance corporal Kyaw Than Naing, and Maung Mya Min Thwin, son of lance corporal Myo Thet Naing for passing matriculation with six distinctions in 2021-2022.
Daw Than Than Nwe presented honorary medals, awards and certificates to Ma May Piti Aung, daughter of Col Nay Win Aung, Maung Yan Lin Aung, son of warrant officer Aung Kyi, Ma Phoo Pyae Ko Ko, daughter of Capt Min Wai (Retd), Ma Khaing Khaing Min Oo, daughter of deputy warrant officer/ clerk Hsan Min Oo and Ma Khin Than Thar, daughter of sergeant/midwife Daw Moe Sanda for all-round outstanding awards in 2021-2022, and Ma Thin Myat Yati, daughter of Col Zaw Lwin, Ma Myint Myat Thwe, daughter of Lt-Col Thein Soe Tun, Ma Thant Yati Aung, daughter of warrant officer Kyi Soe, Ma Thu Thu Hnin, daughter of deputy warrant officer/ clerk Min Kyin Lay and Ma Mya Thet Che, daughter of Capt Aung Ye Tun (Retd) for passing matriculation with six distinctions in 2021-2022.
Next, SAC member Union Minister for Defence General Mya Tun Oo presented honorary awards and certificates to 10 six-distinction winners, wife of General Mya Tun Oo to sixdistinction winners, SAC member Admiral Tin Aung San to nine six-distinction winners, wife of Admiral Tin Aung San to 10 six-distinction winners, SAC member Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun to 10 six-distinction winners, SAC member Lt-Gen Yar Pyae to 10 six-distinction winners, SAC Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dway to 10 six-distinction winners, wife of Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dway to 10 six-distinction winners, SAC Joint-Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo to 10 fivedistinction winners, wife of Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo to 10 fivedistinction winners, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naing to 10 five-distinction winners, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Tin Htut Oo to 10 five-distinction winners, Union Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Hla Moe to 10 five-distinction winners, Union Minister for Dr Nyunt Pe to 10 five-distinction winners, Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Myo Thein Kyaw to 10 five-distinction winners, Union Minister for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win to 10 fivedistinction winners and Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye to nine five-distinction winners. The wife of Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) Maung Maung Aye presented award of honour, prize of honour and certificate of honour to 10 students, who passed matriculation with five distinctions, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung nine students, the wife of Admiral Moe Aung 10 students, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung 10 students, the wife of General Tun Aung 10 students, Let-Gen Than Tun Oo of Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services 10 students, Chairman of Central Executives Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Let-General Sein Win (Retired) 10 students, and Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Myo Zaw Thein six servicemen who passed matriculation with two distinctions.
After presenting the awards, on behalf of the outstanding students and servicemen, Ma Shwe Pyae Shan Oo, winner of the comprehensive education award, thanked them for the awards, prizes and certificates.
Then, the Senior General and party had a souvenir photo taken together with the students and servicemen.
Next, the Senior General and wife served the attendees, the outstanding students and servicemen, parents and teachers with a feast of food. After the reception, the Senior General and wife and party cordially greeted them.
Outstanding servicemen and children of Tatmadaw members’ families, war veterans’ families and civilian personnel of Tatmadaw, who passed matriculation with flying colours, have been awarded prizes of honour since the academic year of 2011-2012. As of the academic year of 2018-2019, 174 servicemen, who passed matriculation with one distinction, seven servicemen with two distinctions, 3,195 students with three distinctions, 203 youths who won youth outstanding prize in university education, 29 students who won prizes in State-level cartoon, art of painting, essay and article contests, and 489 students who won university scholarship, 4,097 in total, have been awarded prize of honour at ceremonies held in Nay Pyi Taw. A total of 6,939 outstanding students – 1,536 who passed matriculation with two distinctions and 5,403 with one distinction – have been awarded prizes of honour at military commands.
Besides the outstanding students and servicemen who passed matriculation with five distinctions and above, there is a plan to present prize of honour to 2,909 students with one distinction, 790 with two, 427 with three and 274 with four, one serviceman with three distinctions and 134 servicemen with one distinction, 17 comprehensively outstanding youths, 11 students who won prizes in in State-level cartoon, art of painting, essay and article contests, and 85 youths who won university scholarship, 4,648 in total, at military commands concerned.
Moreover, students who passed matriculation with flying colours, have been sent to overseas study trips annually with the aim of gaining international exposures, cultural and knowledge.
Of the outstanding children of parents of servicemen, retired servicemen and Tatmadaw’s civilian personnel who passed matriculation in the academic year of 2021-2022, 30 students and three servicemen who have had the best score in exam, and two school administrative officers of the Tatmadaw basic education high school and Tatmadaw education school, which hit the best score in matriculation result, were sent to Singapore and Thailand for study tours.
