Order banning private tuition is 'not fair'
Myanmar's Ministry of Education has issued an order to teachers not to give private tutoring, but the directive doesn't seem to have had much effect, as the practice continues unabated.
Upper House of Parliament Speaker Khin Aung Myint said the issue of unequal access to education is an important issue for the country’s people.
More and more students are taking private tutoring outside of school hours and those who can’t afford to attend tuition face unfairness, he said.
There are also allegations that public schools do not have the capacity to meet the challenges and demands for better education.
Deputy Minister for Education Dr San Lwin said the government should have stricter requirements in dealing with teachers who violate directives and regulations.
San Lwin said that to gain the trust of parents in Basic Education Schools, teachers will have to be better trained and refresher courses would need to be offered to teachers.
Schools don’t allow teachers even fringe benefits to provide tutorial services to students at their schools. Depending on the children’s need, free teaching has been allowed.
However, in response to the deputy minister, Speaker Khin Aung Myint said, “If the teaching at the school is adequate, the system of giving private tuition will fade. Here, there are many private schools such as ILBC and so many others. I don’t see or hear of the children attending these schools taking tuition. It is because the education provided at schools is sufficient. Though we issued an order not to give private tuition, the system still exists. This may be because the order is not a fair and just one. The right and just order must be an order people must abide by. Then only we will succeed. Otherwise, it will be an order written on paper [only].
“Discrimination in classrooms shouldn’t happen in this age. I was even surprised when I heard [a reporter’s] question. Giving tuition, if it still exists, is due to poor management system in education. That’s the answer. So, what are responsible personnel at the respective levels doing? The government will stand by its principles. The headmasters, township, district, region and state education officers have to manage the teaching of the teachers,” he said.
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