Daw Haung Sai, member of National Network for Education Reform (NNER) told Mizzima on August 26, that the 'National Education Policy Bill' will allow prisoners in jail to receive education.
After holding numerous discussions throughout the country the NNER has submitted their findings to the Parliament. Many experts and local NGOs co-operated in drafting the National Education Bill.
The Bill has 13 sections, including a section on 'informal education' that proposes to allow prisoners to receive education while serving jail term.
Daw Haung Sai said, “The Bill will open up educational opportunity for students who are in prison. There are youth who are prevented from continuing with further studies after they are released. As per the Bill students in jail will be allowed to study, in a mode similar to taking distance education exams.”
Besides the students in prison, the Informal Education Committee will also work to provide educational opportunities for children who have never attended primary or middle school and students who dropped out. They will also provide youth Capacity Building Schools.
The Informal Education section states the Committee will carry out tasks such as admitting students and appointing teachers. The Committee will be formed democratically with local elders from respective regions, education experts and Principals.
The expense for appointing school teachers, and designing curricula for informal education will be provided by the government with contribution from the respective regions. NGOs and various foundations will also be invited to work together with the government.
Daw Haung Sai said, “The National Education Policy Bill has been submitted to the Parliament’s Education Promotion Committee. The Bill drafted by NNER will be submitted in the next Parliament meeting through a MP from National League for Democracy.”
The Bill was drafted after an educational conference that followed education meetings held 25 times in divisions and states wherein comments and suggestion were collected from over 3000 participants.
The Bill comprises 13 education sections on basic principles for educational policies. The right to equality of all citizens, human dignity and educational freedom are also included in the National Education Policy Bill.
