Vice-Senior General Maung Aye receives Laotian Defence Attaché Colonel Onechanh Phetsalat

YANGON, 5 Oct — Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye received Defence Attaché Colonel Onechanh Phetsalat of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, who had completed his tour of duty, at Zeyathiri Beikman Hall on Konmyinttha, here, at 8 am today.

Also present at the call were Member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Chief of Military Affairs Security Maj-Gen Myint Swe and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Thu.

In Myanmar society are norms for dignity, and ethics and responsibilities of a teacher Teachers should adhere to their ethics to become models of the society winning public respect Teachers should teach students to become clever, polite and outstanding persons World Teachers’ Day observed

YANGON, 5 Oct—World Teachers’ Day was observed at the Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road here this morning, with an address by Chairman of the Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein.

Also present on the occasion were the ministers, the chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Yangon Mayor, the deputy ministers, MEC members, ambassadors of embassies in Yangon, resident representatives of UN agencies, veteran teachers, officials, departmental heads, the chairman of the Myanmar Examinations Board, rectors, principals, education officers, outstanding teachers, students and guests.

The MEC chairman in his speech said that world nations commemorate the World Teachers’ Day annually with noble aims to appreciate the attributies of teachers and to raise their role. So does Myanmar to preserve a fine tradition of cooperation in international movements and enhance the Myanmar tradition of honouring teachers.

In Myanmar society, it is a conviction that the dignity of teachers is endowed with noble attributies. It is a very adorable custom that people regard parents as first teachers, and teachers as one of the five infinities together with the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Buddhist Order, and parents.

And teachers are regarded as honourable persons, exemplars of respective wards or villages, and those capable of guiding and nurturing students to become the educated with good morality. So, in the Myanmar society are norms for dignity, and ethics and responsibilities of a teacher.

Now, the government is making endeavours to promote the education standard through national level education promotion projects. In the process, it has taken into account the vital role teachers play, and their pioneering quality and dignities.

In 2005, the World Teachers’ Day is dedicated to the theme “Quality Teachers for Quality Education: Training for a Stronger Teaching Force”.

Myanmar is implementing the 30-year long-term national education promotion plan. “Work programme for tea-chership” is included in the third of the 10 work programmes being undertaken in the basic education sector “Work programme for promotion of basic education”.

The government has been opening institutions of higher learning and schools the length and breadth of the nation to open greater learning opportunities. It has also opened more education universities and colleges, that are conducting degree and diploma courses, to bring out a large number of skilled teachers. The nation now has 156 institutions of higher learning and 40,525 schools, up from 32 universities and colleges and 33,747 schools in 1988.

In 1988, there were over 138,000 students of institutions of higher learning and over 5,240,000 students in schools in the nation.

Now there are 748,000 university students and 7,790,000 basic education students. In 1988 there were 6,500 university teachers and 174,000 basic education teachers in the nation. At present there are over 18,000 university teachers and over 240,000 basic education teachers.

The nation now has one school each in every one-and-half-mile perimeter. Eighty-nine per cent of schools of the nation are in rural areas. The 2004-2005 record indicated that 93 per cent of primary teachers have completed their teachership courses, and teacher-student ratio in the primary level is 1:30.4.

In 1988, the nation had only one education university, one academy for development of national groups, four teachers training institutes and 13 teachers training schools in the teaching sector. Now the nation has two education universities, 20 education colleges. The government has opened more teachership courses and distance education courses for education degree, pre-occupational degree courses, and pre and post graduate courses.

The government has also opened post-graduate diploma in teachership, post-graduate diploma in media, and master’s degree courses. The courses have enabled teachers to enhance their qualifications. More qualified teachers are needed due to the rise in the number of institutions of higher learning. The government has opened more master’s degree course in research and doctorate degree courses and developed research work to attend to the need. Human resources development departments have been opened at institutions of higher learning through one campus multi system.

The ITC is developing with greater acceleration due to rapid global changes in science and technologies. Teachers are being trained to be skilled in using electronic equipment including computer. Hence teachers are fully using the equipment in teaching and learning activities.

The institutions of higher learning are running e-education learning centres, resources centres, computer training centres and language laboratories. The basic education schools are also opening multimedia centres including computer-aided instruction rooms, audio-visual rooms and language labs. Thanks to the enhancement of the level of teaching and learning, teachers have become the facilitators helping students in their self studies.

Annual conferences are being held with the wider participation of principles, education administrators and experts to discuss, review and lay down future plans in implementing the 30-year national education promotion plan. The government has opened greater opportunities for the teachers to take part in the education promotion programmes. Thus, teachers have gained international level education knowledge and are carrying out the education task more effectively.

Teachers will have to train students, who will shoulder the future State duties to become brilliant persons. They should also enable students to apply their knowledge in social economy of the regions, and play a leading role in developing the social community and improving the social standard of the regions.

As teachers are entrusted with the most delicate and highest responsibilities of the human society, they should work with zeal and perseverance and dedicate their lives in producing intellectuals and intelligentsia, good citizens and outstanding persons whose skills meet the international standard on whom the nation can rely. Parents and people should acknowledge the endeavours of the teachers.

Local authorities, wellwishers and locals should provide more assistance to teachers than now to provide them with a secure and sufficient life and a happy working environment. The assistance will help raise the teaching qualifications of teachers.

Teachers should adhere to their ethics to become models of the society winning public respect. They should teach students to become clever, polite and outstanding persons possessing patriotism and Union Spirit.

Teachers should strive to become persons who can shape a better future, ensure global peace and tranquillity, improve the global social standard, open the knowledge door towards the new age, and develop the global education standard, while discharging their duties well.

Coordinator at national level for education for all Director-General of No 1 Basic Education Department U Tin Nyo read messages sent by officials of UN agencies such as UNESCO, UNDP, ILO and UNICEF.

Basic education students who won gold medals at the Myanmar traditional cultural performing arts competitions sang a song, “O Beh Saya”.

Next, Director-General of Education Planning and Training Department U Bo Win announced the list of four honourary Sayagyis in commemoration of the World Teachers’ Day and three outstanding teachers and reported on Sayagyis’ endeavours for the development of education sector and promotion of education and the outstanding performances of the three teachers.

The Secretary-1 presented certificates of honour and cash award to retired rector Dr Khin Maung Win of Yangon Institute of Education, retired rector Dr Maung Di of Yangon University, retired director-general U Khin Maung Phyu of Basic Education Department and retired director U Maung Maung Soe Tint of Department of Myanmar Language Commission.

Next, the Secretary-1 presented certificates of honour and cash award to U Toe Aung Naing, a Junior Assistant Teacher of Basic Education High School (Branch) of Thayethamein Village in Waw Township, Headmistress Daw Aster Khin of Kamawet Village in Mudon Township and Daw Mya Htay, a Junior Assistant Teacher of Mongthauk Basic Education High School in Nyaungshwe Township.

Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint presented prizes to Assistant Lecturer Dr Than Win of Myanmarsar Department of Yangon University, Associate Professor Daw Cho Cho Tint of Maubin University and Tutor Daw Myint Myint San of Yangon Institute of Education who stood first, second and third respectively in article contest at university and institute level and other winners at the basic education high, middle and primary levels.

Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung presented prizes to winners in the essay contest at higher education and basic education levels.

Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa presented prizes to winners in the poem contest at higher education and basic education levels.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 cordially greeted diplomats, honourary Sayagyis, outstanding teachers and students and observed booths in commemoration of the World Teachers’ Day.

Dr Khin Maung Win received Ph.D degree from Yale University in 1958. He served in Yangon University as a tutor and later he was promoted to the professor. He became the rector of the Institute of Education in 1972 and the Minister for Education in 1974. He also served as the ambassador in 1980 and he retired in 1989.

He led literacy campaign such as Three ‘Rs’ courses and initiated opening of regional colleges and university correspondence course. He is an adviser to Philosophy Department of Yangon University.

Dr Maung Di obtained PhD degree from London University in 1958. He served in Yangon University from a demonstrator to the rector. He became the Deputy Minister of Education in 1983 and he retired in 1988. He initiated programmes for opening of courses on English, anthropology, oriental studies and international relations at Yangon University. He also made arrangements for formation of Historical Research Department. He is an adviser to the Chemistry Department of Yangon University.

U Khin Maung Phyu got BEd degree from Faculty of Education in 1958. He started his education career as a senior assistant teacher and discharged various duties and then served as the director-general. He served as the ambassador to Sri Lanka from 1985 to 1987. After his retirement in 1987, he has been a member of Pyinnyatazaung Magazine Administrative Board. He implemented literacy campaign in Myanmar.

U Maung Maung Soe Tint had a BEd degree in 1953 and received MEd from Hawaii University in 1963 and FRSA Honourary Degree from the UK in 1978. He served in various capacities from the headmaster to the deputy director. He also served as the director in Department of Myanmar Language Commission in 1982. He served as the ambassador to Australia from 1985 to 1989. He compiled some books such as Tri Pitakat for Everyone and Think and Enjoy. He initiated literacy movement in Myanmar and He is the chairman of Border Areas Development Association.

One of the outstanding teachers is U Toe Aung Naing. At 6 am on 27 August 2004, together with four high school students and a teacher, he left by powered boat for Myitkyo Basic Education High School in Waw Township to draw transfer certificates. On the way, the powered boat sank in Sittaung river due to the strong wind. U Toe Aung Naing saved the lives of the people on board.

On 12 January 2004, Headmaster Daw Aster Khin noticed the sign of a storm. So she warned his students not to go out and to hide under the desks in the classrooms. Although the roofs of the school were blown off during the tornado, no students were hurt. She was able to save the lives of the students.

Another outstanding teacher is Daw Mya Htay. The fire broke out in Mongthauk-in Village in Nyaungshwe Township on 17 May 2005. In spite of her house burning, she evacuated seven students and the sick to escape the fire.

Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium 2005 commences

YANGON, 5 Oct — The Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium for 2005 organized by Central Committee for Organizing the Myanmar Gems Emporium of the Ministry of Mines commenced at Myanma Gems Mart on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this afternoon.

It was attended by member of Information Committee Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Director-General U Khin Maung Htay of Myanma Radio and Television, Managing Director U Soe Win of News and Periodicals Enterprise, Correspondent U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Hla Htway, President U Sao Kai Hpa and members and officials of NPE.

They were welcomed by Chairman of the Central Committee Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein, Secretary Managing Director U Thein Swe of MGE and members.

Local and foreign journalists viewed gems and jade finished products, ornaments and jade figurines to be sold at fixed prices, and private jewellery shops on the ground floor of the mart, imperial jade, commercial jade and utility jade lots and uncut jade stones displayed around the mart, gem and pearl lots to be sold through competitive bidding and tender system on the top floor.

Deputy Minister U Myint Thein and party explained display of gem and jade lots.

At the auction hall of the mart, Deputy Minister U Myint Thein and party met with local and foreign journalists at the press conference concerning the gems emporium.

Speaking on the occasion, the deputy minister said that quality gem lots will be sold at the Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium. Now, pearl merchants from abroad are interested in sales of pearl lots, and they will purchase them, it is learnt.

A total of 721 gem enterprises from 24 countries were invited to the gem emporium. Till today, 172 gem merchants of 69 gem companies from 12 countries have replied to the invitations for attending the gems emporium.

However, arrival of gems merchants from abroad will arrive at the emporium soon .

Hence, it is estimated that about 700 gem merchants from abroad will attend the gems emporium. This year, 273 pearl lots, 141 gem lots and 2,154 jade lots, totalling 2,568 will be sold through tender and competitive bidding systems. Next, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein gave a speech. Chairman Deputy Minister U Myint Thein and Secretary U Thein Swe answered the queries raised by the journalists. Later, Deputy Minister U Myint Thein gave the concluding remarks.

Diplomats visit 2005 Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium

YANGON, 5 Oct — Ambassadors, charge d’ affaires and military attaches of foreign embassies here and officials from UN agencies today visited the Mid-year Myanma Gems Emporium-2005 organized by Central Committee for Organizing Myanma Gems Emporium. Officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Mines welcomed and conducted them around the emporium.

Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium attracts over 700 merchants

YANGON, 5 Oct — A total of 737 local and foreign gem merchants gathered here to participate in Mid-year Myanma Gems Emporium-2005 which launched today.

The emporium was organized by Central Committee for Organizing Myanma Gems Emporium at Myanma Gems Emporium Hall on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road.

High-quality jade lots and gems were displayed at the emporium.

It is expected that more merchants will arrive tomorrow.