Why Education Reform is so Important for Myanmar

Education is a child's right and a key to national growth and prosperity. Myanmar has made strong progress in increasing children’s access to education and improving the quality of education, yet many children remain out of school, and schools struggle to give young people the strongest start in life. Key challenges in Myanmar include limitations in the quality of education services at all levels of education and the number of qualified teachers, as well as weak school infrastructure and outdated teaching methods. In addition, protracted conflicts and emergencies are disrupting many children’s path to learning.

A child’s early years are vital to develop the skills and attributes that prepare them for the future. Only 20 per cent of children in Myanmar between ages 3 and 5 are attending an organized early childhood education programme, according to a 2015 survey. 

At primary school level, 81 per cent of children aged 6–10 years attend school, the 2014 census found. This means that 1 in 5 children are not attending, either because they never entered school or dropped out.  Fees related to education are one of the main causes for many children to give up on schooling. Another main reason for children to drop out of school is the limited quality and relevance of the education that is offered. Economic hardships force many young children to give up education in order to work.

Myanmar has made upgrading the national education system a priority, and UNICEF supports the Government to implement the National Education Strategic Plan 2016–2021, together with other partners. UNICEF also supports the implementation of the National Early Childhood Care and Development Policy.

The goal is to ensure all children—especially the most disadvantaged—are able to access inclusive and quality education throughout the journey of childhood. 

Bringing more children into education at an early age, and keeping them in quality schools as they get older, requires action on multiple fronts. Strengthening teaching and learning policies and systems, improving learning environments and enhancing the capacity of educational personnel, are vital. Targeting the specific and different barriers children face in accessing inclusive and quality education is also key.