UNESCO. General Conference; 30th; Records ... - unesdoc - Unesco

achievement and recognition of prior learning attainment. The emphasis is on education and re-education and on
a free and more flexible system of education that will provide better learning opportunities for lifelong education.
2.6 Madam President, Myanmar is a country in transition. It has changed its economic system from a
centrally planned economy to a market-oriented one. With the changes in the economic system and the
emergence of economic enterprises, the need for a better trained workforce is evident and job opportunities for
educated and better trained persons are beginning to emerge. In order to meet the training needs of the workforce,
a more flexible and varied form of post-school education and training has been established making optimal use of
existing resources. To realize the aim of catering to the educational needs of as many persons as possible and to
offer a wide variety of options, the Ministry of Education established the National Centre for Human Resources
Development in June 1998, which are centres for human resources development located at the universities,
institutes and colleges under the Ministry of Education. These offer a wide variety of options in the form of
certificate, diploma or degree courses in such diverse fields as foreign language studies, computer engineering,
gemmology, cosmetic technology, environmental studies, biotechnology, business management and accounting
studies. In August 1999, the Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science was established. The members of the
Academy have been entrusted with the mission of helping to create, through the pursuit of education and
learning, a better quality of life without sacrificing the dignity, the pride and solidarity of the Myanmar people
who since gaining independence have made self-reliance a virtue.
2.7 Madam President, as the twentieth century draws to a close and the new millennium approaches,
formidable challenges face education and there is a need to assess its role and mission, identify new approaches
and set new priorities for future development. Much work needs to be done in curriculum development as part of
the education planning exercise. Vision is needed as plans for the future are being drawn up. Learning resources
in the form of print formats alone are not adequate, multimedia formats and the use of computers have a major
part to play in the learning process and will be an integral part of future-oriented teaching and learning
modalities. New learning theories must be explored. The 1996 report of the International Commission on
Education for the Twenty-first Century, presented to UNESCO has much to offer. This report, which identifies
four pillars as the foundations of education, emphasizes the concept of learning throughout life and provides a
framework for educational planning in the twenty-first century. Appropriate learning techniques must also be
sought. In many parts of Asia, rote-learning is still very much the practice. In terms of disciplined learning, rotelearning
is useful; but for children to be "creative thinkers" and to have appropriate life skills they must be
exposed to problem-solving and task-based learning. The question is how these two types of learning can be
blended to bring out the best in our children. Improved methods of training teachers and increasing their
professionalism are also crucial factors for an education system. Teachers are agents of change.
2.8 With regard to literacy, Myanmar has a fairly high rate. However, in recent years vigorous efforts have
been made to eradicate illiteracy and to meet the EFA 2000 goals. Non-formal education, especially, targeting
out-of-school youth, is gaining ground. Plans for the establishment of the Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre
have been approved and the Centre will be completed in May 2000. This is a collaborative project between the
Ministry of Education and the Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO, based in Japan. The Centre in Yangon
will be part of a regional network. Such regional and international networks are essential for development.
UNESCO, ASEAN and especially SEAMEO have much to offer in this respect. With this view in mind, two
universities in Myanmar have joined the ASEAN Universities Network. Plans are also being drawn up to
establish a SEAMEO Regional Centre for History and Tradition in Yangon.
2.9 Madam President, in conclusion, I would like to reiterate that only by responding to the challenges in
these ways will sustainable human resources development be ensured and the objectives set out in Myanmar's
national development plan be achieved. I thank you, Madam President.
3. The PRESIDENT:
I should like to thank His Excellency the Ambassador of Myanmar to UNESCO for an excellent
presentation. I am sure that your national centre for human resources development will serve the country well.
UNESCO is well aware of your country's needs and aims and I hope you will get the necessary support. We
appreciate the efforts to reduce illiteracy. I now call upon the next speaker, who is His Excellency Mr Khamtanh
Chanthala, Deputy Minister for Education of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Your Excellency, you have
the floor.
4.1 M. CHANTHALA (République démocratique populaire lao) :
Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Directeur général, Monsieur le Président du Conseil exécutif,
Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs, permettez-moi tout d'abord, Madame la Présidente, de vous présenter à
mon tour toutes mes félicitations pour votre élection et de former le voeu que, sous votre présidence, les travaux
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