Myanmar Spring Chronicle – June 17 scenes
MoeMaKa, June 18 2022
Education and Politics
This morning, the military council announced the results of the matriculation exam, which opened after the military coup. There is also news on social media that Mon State has the highest success rate, including the state and division success rates. At noon, the National Unity Government (NUG) issued a statement rejecting the matriculation results published by the Ministry of Education under the military council. In the statement, it is said that they will not recognize certificates of completion or any other documents given by the military council’s Ministry of Education. It is also stated that they would not recognize any work experience committed under the military dictatorship. Although it has a purpose to give a political blow to the military council and to recognize CDM students from the educational field, it creates a situation for people who are still living under the military council very hard to understand.
The NUG’s statement caused confusion among those studying in military-ruled areas. Although complaints may be raised for not recognizing it because the education system is not a federal education system, NUG may be able to implement the Federal education system in controlled territories but it would not be practical to urge people in uncontrolled territories to choose online education.
It is practical for ordinary people to attend schools in areas of favorable conditions when the risk of infection of Covid is reduced because parents have difficulties in providing internet fees, computers and technological support for young students to access online education.
It is important for NUG to understand the plight of these people. The assumption that attending the school run by the military council would be politically supportive or submissive towards the military junta is biased with political interest rather than education’s.
It is necessary to consider seriously although it is true that all issues such as education, health, society and religion can only be standardized and developed with a good political system. However the statement by NUG that not acknowledging things such as matriculation exam and graduation documents issued by the military council is also confusing for ordinary people who had no choice but to keep quiet under regime.
There are many arguing posts on social media about NUG’s statement throughout the day. Disagreements over non-political issues such as education can be detrimental to advocacy.
It should be noticed that it may cause education is being used for political goals.