Tasks are being carried out in seven states, two regions, and six self-administered zones covering (167) townships with components of (30,000) villages adding over (19) million population embracing in (37 point 87) per cent of the people.
By Naing Linn Kyi, Photo: Hein Sithu
Rolling ahead in top gear, the Ministry of Border Affairs is shouldering the noblest task for the ethnic nationalities with the strategy “to ensure that there is no lapse in the border and ethnic development of the various regions of Myanmar”, advancing in two main prongs of duties covering four policy principles.
Enveloping (37 point 87) per cent of population
Border areas development tasks are being carried out in seven states, two regions, and six self-administered zones covering (167) townships with components of (30,000) villages adding over (19) million population embracing in (37 point 87) per cent of the people in its fourth year implementation.
Linking up with the MSDP objectives, the border areas development plans are being properly implemented. The Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP) is the expression of our national development vision.
Upholding the three main pillars of the Ministry of Border Affairs, it is concentrating on the following.
(1) Peace and Stability Objective with strategy 1.2 namely “Uplifting the socio-economic development in a conflict free atmosphere and direction in all the regions and states with equal opportunity approach”.
(2) Advancing ahead for prosperity and cooperation expressed as goal (3) with strategy 3.6 regarding rural area transport development in the construction of roads and bridges which are in progress. In this connection, strategy 3.1 is also in progress for sustainable and adequate water management for cultivation and for safe drinking water supply.
(3) Pillar three stands out in reflecting objective (5) with strategy 5.4 regarding electricity generation and distribution, which is ongoing with successful speed. On the other hand, the strategy 5.6 in connection with the construction of the affordable housing projects has been interconnected, and that all hands on deck are implementing the respective schemes.
(20) Year project crafted
Pragmatic 20-year project has been drawn for the socio-economic development of the ethnic nationalities in the country beginning 2011 – 2012 to 2030 – 2031 periods.
During the current project term, the statistics showed the completion records such as that of (52 point 24) per cent in roads and bridges; that of (18 point 50) per cent in education; that of (26 point 09) percent in health; that of (59 point 46) per cent in agriculture and drinking water; that of (27 point 83) per cent in electricity supply; that of (27 point 42) percent in construction of buildings; and that of the second middle term five-year project could realize (38 point 72) per cent. In the upcoming second middle term five-year project, it is expected to see more achievements.
More implementation
During the fourth year implementation, the achievements are recorded such as that of earth road 230 miles and 4 furlongs; that of the road expansion 39 miles and 4 furlongs; that of stumpy quality stone road 11 miles; that of common stone road 266 miles 2 furlongs; that of asphalt road 25 miles 5 furlongs; that of concrete road 5 miles 3 furlongs; that of road repair and maintenance 155 miles and one furlong; that of common bridges and small bridges 127 units; that of box culvert 830 in number; that of one state primary school; that of water supply facility one unit; that of water connection up to villages stretching 48 miles and one furlong; that of machine drill deep tube well 6 units; that of machine drill normal well 11 units; that of water container and storage one unit; that of brick water tanks 310 units; that of electricity power supply cable 23 miles 6 furlongs; that of solar power light 179 units; and that of low income housing 277 units.
During the four years implementation, the records showed the completions such as that of earth road 1951 miles; that of road expansion 152 miles and one furlong; that of stone road 1109 miles 6 furlongs; that of asphalt roads 223 miles and 5 furlongs; that of concrete roads 54 miles 2 furlongs; that of road repair 409 miles; that of large bridge over (100) feet 36 units; that of small bridges 577 units; that of box culverts 5,689 units; that of state primary schools 23 schools; that of state middle schools 6 schools; that of state high schools 2 schools; that of one hospital; that of village healthcare centre 3 units; that of water supply 6 units; that of water supply up to the villages 344 miles; that of electricity supply lines 23 miles 6 furlongs; that of solar power generation units 9,134 sets; that of IDP camps building 176 units; that of low cost housing construction 779 units.
Road communications
“Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department has prioritized road transport work as the most essential task of the department. In carrying out the task, it also pays attention on the security and safety aspect of the nation in addition to the area development. It reflects in the construction of ‘Magwayza – Khaung Lan Phu Road’ which is 65 miles 4 furlongs long. Khaung Lan Phu area has 2,000 square miles with a population of 15,000 persons, with very thin density. Moreover, it has an extreme weather condition and had bad road communications, resulting with yearly food shortages lagging behind in the area development. Therefore, the Ministry of Border Affairs has made concerted efforts with the Tatmadaw and the local militias on development tasks in 2018 – 2019 financial years. The most difficult task was the construction of the road at the elevated level of 7,800 feet “Sun Lut Chet Mountain Top”, a rugged road which is 33 miles and 6 furlongs stretch. As the work has been realized and rolled ahead in top speed, the 43 miles 2 furlongs road leading from top of the mountain to the river bank of May Kha River has been accomplished,” explained Director-General U Ye Naing.
Road to Khaung Lan Phu
“In the days ahead, the Khaung Lan Phu area would be developed as the road from the area is to be connected with the Shane Khaung Area at the border of China. Moreover, strategic plans are already there to construct the road that of to Lan Sai Area; that of to Che Hpway; that of to Myitkyina; and that of to Putao and the surrounding areas.
Pan Nan Din – Da Huan Dan Road is in the process of construction for 63 miles. It is at the base of Hkakaborazi National Park”, Director-General U Ye Naing explained.
“This year we have provided adequate water supply system with various available methods to the population including safe drinking water, assisting their better health condition. The electricity power supply cable connection scheme started in 2017 – 2018 in Ho Pone Township, and the implementation statistics showed the completion that of 400 volt supply line of 18 point 4 miles; that of the installation 18 transformers; that of 11 KV electricity supply line of 10 point 4 miles; and that the electricity would be available soon,” explained U Ye Naing.
Poppy substitute scheme
“Deputy Minister has shouldered the task of ‘Substitution Development Management Committee’ under the ‘Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control’ and that three year pilot program has started in four village tracts and 97 villages in Panlong Township from 2017 – 2018 to 2019 – 2020.
Human Resources Development
With a view to implement in uplifting the human resources of ethnic nationalities and socio-economic development of the border areas, the MOBA has established the Department of Education and Training on 30 June 1999.
Department is established namely the Head Office; University for the Development of the National Races of the Union (Sagaing); Degree Colleges for the Development of the National Races of the Union (Yangon and Sagaing); the Central Training Institute (Yangon); 9 regional offices and state level offices; 9 district level offices; 45 Training Schools for Development of Nationalities Youths from Border Areas; 9 Technical Schools for Nationalities Youths from Border Areas; and 46 Vocational Training Schools of Domestic Science for Women.
“In the basic sphere, 45 training schools have been functioning, and that the underprivileged students that could not afford education hailing from poor parents or orphans are being looped in for free education from five grades to ten standards. Food, clothing and shelters of the students have been undertaken by the government. Starting from 1999 until today, total students numbering (67,009) have attended the schools. Among them (3,734) students have pursued various higher education at respective universities. In 2018 – 2019, total of (367) students passed the Matriculation Examination. In 2019 – 2020, a total of students numbering (5,787) have been attending at (45) Training Schools for Development of Nationalities Youths from Border Areas,” U Thein Htay Oo, Director-General of the Department of Education and Training explained.
In the second sphere namely the advanced educational sphere, it has been established one University for the Development of the National Races of the Union; two number of Nationalities Youths Resource Development Degree Colleges; and one unit of Central Training School.
The University has opened its doors since 1964, and that until today, a total of (13,786) teachers have been nurtured. According to last year records, there are (267) students have earned the B. Ed degree.
In 2019 – 2020 academic years, there are (1,542) students attending at the university majoring in educational degrees. Moreover, (28) students are attending educational Masters’ degree, and that (73) students are pursuing educational diploma courses. The number of these students stands out at (1,643).
Appointment to posts
Until today, there are (32) doctorates; (103) Master’s of Research; (26) Master’s of Science; (111) Master’s of Arts; (34) Master’s of Engineers; and (563) engineering degrees. The register shows that total (2,603) students are pursuing at the degree colleges (Yangon and Sagaing) in first to fourth year classes.
Livelihood spheres
With a view to open up job opportunities for the ethic youth with residence in the border areas, they have been recruited to schools that have been opened as national technical schools, with a total number (9) in the country. In the schools under references, the students are taught varied courses namely mobile phone repair courses; the motor bikes and cycle repair courses; the basic mechanic courses; the vehicle repair course; the basic construction courses; the household wiring for electricity courses; the iron welding courses; the steel welding courses; the aluminum welding courses. So far, total of (5,394) trainees have been trained.
Job Opportunities
For the advantages of the female youth, 46 Vocational Training Schools of Domestic Science for Women have been opened for job opportunities, where the ethnic nationalities are trained with various livelihoods.
At Vocational Training Schools of Domestic Science for Women (Pathein and Pakokku), they are providing domestic science courses, and in addition, the schools are providing the hotel hospitality courses; the receptionist courses; the house keeping courses; the bartenders’ skill courses; and the food and beverage courses. The trainees are also offered with the opportunities in finding jobs at the hotels. Since 1992, total of (91,806) persons have been trained from the domestic science schools.
“Last year, total of (5,859) women trainees have been imparted with various courses. In addition, (300) students have been trained for hotel related courses. A total of (1,910) women trainees have been given (18) weeks courses on domestic science,” U Thein Htay Oo explained.
Translated by UMT (Ahlon)
