Address by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt on the Occasion of nternational Literacy Day and the UN Literacy Decade

International Literacy Day and the United Nations Literacy Decade was observed at the Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road in 9 September 2003. At the ceremony Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt delivered a speech. He said:

The Union of Myanmar is making efforts to uplift education for its citizens systematically through education plan in which literacy and continuing education programmes have been included as a crucial sector.
The government, while making efforts for literacy of its citizens as a national commitment, is also participating actively, as a member of the Global Family, in international movements.

Since the United Nations organizations have acclaimed 8 September as 'The International Literacy Day' in 1967, Myanmar has annually honoured and celebrated the Literacy Day with splendour, as the other member nations do. It has now become a firm tradition of Myanmar. What makes this year's 'International Literacy Day' a very special one is that, at the General Assembly conducted in December, 2001, the Decade, from 2003 to 2012, has been declared as the United Nations Literacy Decade:

Education For All and decisions were made to draw up plans by respective nations for basic literacy and better life programmes. As this is the auspicious first year of the 'International Literacy Decade', celebrations are being conducted accordingly.

On this auspicious time, the first year of the International Literacy Decade, Myanmar is conducting systematically planned literacy programmes, considering them as a profound national commitment, and shall also continue to do so. Moreover, Myanmar shall participate actively in the literacy endeavours conducted internationally.

In accordance with a good tradition and a good historical pathway, the Union of Myanmar, with a national concept, a national view and a national duty in mind, has conveyed the meaningful essence of 'Education for All' and 'Literacy for All' and efforts are being made accordingly.

Keeping all school-age children in schools, completing primary school education, attending schools regularly, preventing drop-outs as well as providing basic education to those above the school-going age, and going on with providing life skills education and creating continuous learning opportunities have been done. National Education Plan through Formal education and Non-formal Education programmes are being practically implemented.

To upgrade National Education, in accordance with the Education Promotion Programmes, the school enrolment week programme for 'all school-age children in school' is the basic foundation of National Education. Due to concerted efforts made for enrolment and completion of primary education as a national movement, in the 2003-2004 academic year, the enrolment rate in the 144 project townships is 98.93 percent and that throughout the country is 95.05 percent. These can be seen obviously as a result the whole nation should be proud of.

When these results are compared with those of 99 percent of the East Asia and the Pacific Regions and 97 percent of the industrialized countries; Myanmar proudly and happily stands on equal ground with those nations and also stands abreast with other countries on an international scale.

The government has implemented two modalities of education: Formal and Non-formal education, under the Education for All National Action Plan. For harmonious development in both the formal and non-formal education, they are being materialized in co-ordination. With the goal of wiping out illiteracy in the future, the schooling of all school-age children and prevention of dropouts activities and post primary school programmes are now being implemented. At the same time, 3-'Rs' classes for adult illiterates and Non-formal Primary Education (NFPE) for those who are overage for formal schooling are being conducted with great momentum, in the respective states and divisions, including the border areas.

As the Non-formal Education Programme is conducted as an integrated and continuous national movement, Myanmar now stands firmly as a high literacy rate Group (A) member nation of the Asia-Pacific region. For the neo-literates who have completed basic literacy programme, programmes to upgrade their reading ability, to generate more income, and to improve their quality of life are being implemented as continuing education.

Community Learning Centres (CLCs) are at crucial positions in realizing the Continuing Education. Over 480 CLCs where people can get together any time of the day, spend leisure time, get information, learn life skills and discuss social and welfare issues, have already been established. In 2002, the number of literates has increased to 51,080 in Rakhine and Kayin States and Taninthayi Division after the basic literacy programme. Under the 2003 literacy programme, basic literacy activities are undertaken in Kachin State, Southern Shan State, and in special areas like Hsipaw and Hsengwi in the Northern Shan State. The number of literates in these areas has increased to 65,178.

Moreover, under the guidance of the Head of State, the special summer 3 'Rs' classes have been conducted in remote and border areas of Kokang Region, Wa Region, East Kengtung, Rakhine State, Kayin State, Pa-O Region, Palaung Region, Shan State, Kachin State, Kabaw valley. 27,240 nationals in these areas have become literate.

In addition, the 2003 summer 3 'Rs' classes have been extended to Mongshu township in Mawpha region, Mongpang, Minekain townships in Mon Htaw area, Phekon township in Kayah/Kayan region, Dimawhso, Bawlake townships, Tachilek in East Kengtung region and Thandaung township in Kayin State. Altogether 2,696 nationals in these areas have become literate. The 3 Rs summer classes will be conducted in 2004 at Kayah State, Chin State, Shan State (Eastern) and Shan State (Northern). And in those areas where the basic literacy programmes have already been conducted, continuing education programmes are drawn up to enhance their reading ability.

Now, as an education strategy, to integrate Formal and Non-formal Education, Equivalency Programmes like Non-Formal Primary Education (NFPE) programmes, are being implemented in some areas.
As this is the first year of the United Nations Literacy Decade, programmes should be systematically reviewed and conducted with an increased momentum. The adult literacy rate for Myanmar has increased to 92.2 percent in 2003. Under the 30-year long-term plan, Non-formal Education programme, with the goal to increase the adult literacy rate up to 95.5 percent, are now being implemented. To achieve the goal within a short term, appropriate strategic planning is done not only at the central level but also at the states and divisions. With support from regional authorities, literacy programmes will be conducted with increased vigour.

In making efforts to make Myanmar a Modern Developed Nation, to establish a firm base for economy and to develop human resources are very important. Academicians and technicians will develop our country only if we can train and produce academicians and technicians continuously. The government is giving priority to and seriously conducting programmes for keeping school-age children in school; completing primary education, total elimination of illiterates among adults, upgrading reading skills, increasing family income and creating a happy environment. Simultaneously, we are continuously and actively participating in every literacy activity undertaken by United Nations Organizations. Therefore, under the directives of the Head of State, keeping all school-age children in schools; completing at least primary education, total elimination of illiterates among adults, upgrading reading skills of those who are already literate, increasing family income and creating a happy environment included in the rural development programme, have become most basic and most essential. I would like to urge all our citizen to join in these activities with enthusiasm and unity.

In conclusion, I would like to ask all responsible personnel
- to systematically implement literacy programmes in the United Nations Literacy Decade with greater momentum.
- to maintain and ensure long term development, taking the success of the programme for "Keeping all school-age children in schools" as a model,
-to make efforts to establish Community Learning Centres which will create Myanmar Learning Society, which in turn shall upgrade literacy skills, generate more family income and improve quality of life.