A proposal urging the government to set strategic plans for nursery education and investment in early child care and development service has been submitted to Pyithu Hluttaw, which will discuss on the issue.
U Sai Oo Kham, Pyithu Hluttaw MP for Theinni constituency submitted the proposal on October 17. MPs agreed to bring the matter in parliamentary session. U Soe Aung, deputy minister for the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement submitted also submitted an amended version of the Early Childhood Development law in Pyithu Hluttaw the same day.
“In Myanmar, parents can deal with their children’s education at their convenience before attending primary school, without any required program for children. In rural areas, most children go with their parents to farms,” said U Sai Oo Kham. “Parents just know that they have to send their children to school when they reach five years. Most parents don’t have any knowledge about children development.”
In Myanmar, the early childhood development plan started in the 1900s with the collaboration of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. Early childhood targets the period from birth to kindergarten.
In the 21st century, early childhood care and development projects were developed with the collaboration of the Ministry of Education and UNICEF. The Early Childhood Development law was approved by the Pyihtaungsu Hluttaw in February 2014. Since then, the Hluttaw has been looking at ways to amend the law.
Myanmar policy for Early Childhood Care and Development was launched in U Thein Sein government period.
“We need to support the physical, mental and social upbringing of children. Children who attended pre-schools are more active, inquisitive and benefit from better social communication. They also have better language skills and learn more easily once in school,” said Daw Nann Than Than Lwin, Pyithu Hluttaw MP for Hpa-An constituency who supported the proposal.
Currently, few children are sent to pre-schools and most families look after their children at home.
The rate of preschool attendance in Myanmar is 15.9 percent in rural areas and 39pc in urban area. However, the ASEAN average is nearly 57pc, according to U Sai Oo Kham’s presentation.
Source : Myanmar Times
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