16 Oct
The ASEAN-UNICEF Conference on Digital Transformation of Education System throughout ASEAN was held via zoom webinar yesterday morning.
During the meeting, Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi said the COVID-19 pandemic affects the educational system worldwide and so the ministry is making efforts to achieve better education system and to reduce the COVID-19 impact on education.
He also talked about online courses for all primary, middle and high school teachers about new curriculum of Grade 4,7 and 10 by using Myanmar Digital Education Platform (MDEP) created by Rectors’ Committee, compiling audio and video lessons to broadcast via state-owned and private TV channels and radio, broadcasting video lessons for 8 hours per day via Education Channel of MRTV, lesson compilations to put in the DBE sticks for the teachers and the students in remote areas without internet access to get learning opportunities via DBE Box and monthly home-based learning lessons for students of every level of schools.
He continued that the ministry would adopt online learning system for the universities by using MDEP and provide DHE Box and Data Sticks for the university students in remote areas and villages. The coordination meetings are being held to establish Myanmar National Open University in addition to the normal distance education system.
The ministry also emphasizes on Learning Management System and Digital Teaching-Learning Methodology for basic education and universities teachers and also promotes learning opportunities via face-to-face learning, online learning and blended learning in accordance with the local labour market situation. So, the Reactors’ Committees are trying to grant autonomy or self-determination for all universities and colleges including University-Industry Partnership.
Transforming the education system using high technology can be supposed that a creation of better learning environment and as the automatic machine, AI, Robots and IOT replace the human resources, the competition for the workplaces becomes stronger. So, the labourers need to try to improve their education, skills, knowledge, opinion and social values, said the Union Minister, adding that although online learning and blended learning play key roles for education sector during COVID-19 pandemic, they cannot be replaced with face-to-face learning in classrooms with qualified teachers for 21st century skills and it also need to promote Transferrable skills like decent citizens, team work, communication, critical thinking and talents.
The High-tech Learning and High-touch Learning are absolutely essential to promote lifelong learning opportunities for young adults to compete locally or internationally. The Union Minister called on participation in strategic plans and policies for technology, infrastructure, digitalization, digital learning system, quality assurance and quality recognition of ASEAN regions. He also said that he agreed with the joint state of this conference on promotion of safe digital learning opportunities and digital transformation of education system in ASEAN regions.
Then, ASEAN Education Ministers respectively coordinated the discussion and agreed the joint statement.
MNA (Translated by Khine Thazin Han)
