THE Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement organized a virtual meeting yesterday to discuss issues related to cooperation in the Community-based COVID-19 Prevention and Control Special Project via videoconferencing.

During the meeting, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye (Secretary of National Volunteer Steering Unit) said that at present, COVID-19 response strategies are being changed as needed in accordance with circumstances. He added that as community-based COVID-19 response efforts, it is important to develop more effective ways to control the disease.

He said that the meeting also aims to help Nay Pyi Taw Council Area authorities and regional governments in COVID-19 response efforts.

Regarding changing strategies, the Ministry of Health and Sports is coordinating with the Yangon Region government to carry out community-based COVID-19 prevention and control programmes.

He said Myanmar has many volunteers, including experts, people who have received training of Trainers programme and multiplier course for volunteer, and ambulance drivers. He continued that those volunteers need to be effectively integrated into community-based COVID-19 response efforts.

The Union Minister also pointed out that the citizens also need to have a clear understanding of the changing strategies of COVID-19 response efforts. He also called on all the stakeholders to work together for the success of the community-based COVID-19 control process.

The Deputy Minister, the Permanent Secretary, Directors-General, regional ministers for social affairs, officials from the Ministry of Health and Sports and the General Administration Department, Directors from regional Department of Social Welfare, officials from Myanmar Medical Association, members of Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee and Myanmar Red Cross Society participated in the discussions.

In his closing speech, the Union Minister said that he believes that the Community-based COVID-19 Control Special Project will be successful in States and Regions because of collaborative efforts.

MNA

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

Photo: MNA

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UNION Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi chaired a coordination meeting online with teacher unions, teacher associations and common teachers to draft the National Education Strategic Plan(2021-2030) at his office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

 At the meeting, the Union Minister highlighted the critical role of coordination in the improvement of education quality and called for collaboration of all the teachers in unity.

The Union Minister discussed the changing trend of education together with the industry in studying the Leapfrogging to Education 4.0: Student at the Core, the page 19 of FICCI-EY Knowledge Paper and the page 12 of OECD Future of Education and Skills 2030: OECD Learning Compass 2030.

He also explained the evolutions of Industry 1.0 and Education 1.0 with no education criteria, no specific curriculum and limited infrastructure; Industry 2.0 and Education 2.0 with full-time teachers, specific curriculum and classrooms, the emergence of universities, dormitories and recreation centres; Industry 3.0 and Education 3.0 with online learning, research cooperation, investment in technology and infrastructure; the Industry 4.0 with the Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, the Cloud Computing, big data and robotics technologies.

The Union Minister referred to the Learning Generation Report 2017 for the changing trends in community, economy and technology and the requirement of an education system which can encounter the challenging situations in the 21st century.

He also pointed out the need for innovative learning, capacity, view and technologies for future employment opportunities, as well as the new professionals of the current age. He also suggested the coordination of business sector, the establishment of the school-industry partnership, management reform at the universities, human resources, award presenting, conducting capacity-building programmes continuously and financial assistance.

Permanent Secretary Dr Zaw Myint explained the drafting processes of National Education Strategic Plan(2021- 2030), Director-General U Ko Lay Win from the Department of Basic Education introduced the basic education sector in Chapter 5 of the NESP and Director- General Dr Sai Kyaw Naing Oo reported on the Technical and Vocational Education Sector in Chapter 6 of the NESP.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

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The Ministry of Electricity and Energy organized an event to mark its anniversary at the ministry in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday in accordance with the health guidelines set by the Ministry of Health and Sports.

Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing, Deputy Ministers U Khin Maung Win and Dr Tun Naing, Permanent Secretary U Than Zaw, departmental officials, outstanding staff, students who passed with distinctions, company officials, and invited guests participated in the event via videoconferencing.

At the event, the Union Minister said that on the auspicious day awards would be presented to the outstanding staff, townships and companies, awards and scholarships would be provided for the sons and daughters of the staff, and E&E Day Care Centre would be opened for the children of the staff.

The Ministry of Electricity and the Ministry of Energy were combined as the Ministry of Electricity and Energy during the incumbent government, and 34 per cent of the country was electrified from the National Grid. Electricity will be provided to the citizens and ethnic nationals countrywide who are far from the National Grid via decentralization system, via solar energy, mini hydropower plants, and diesel energy electricity plants.

The ministry also distributed electricity to the far areas in the country – Buthidaung and Maungtaw in Rakhine State, Myawady and Kya-in-Seikgyi in Kayin State, Mawleik in Sagaing Region, Matupi in Chin State, and Kengtong and Mongpyin in eastern Shan State.

Construction of a 180-mile power line on Mawlamyine-Ye-Dawei toad and power projects was underway to transport electricity to Ye and Dawei in Taninthayi Region.

He urged the government employees and company staff to join hands in hands on the projects. A display room relating to the electricity and energy to mark the completion of 50 per cent electricity consumption nationwide from the National Grid, and E&E Day Care Centre for the children of the staff were also opened during the anniversary event.

MNA

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

PHOTO: MNA

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Committee on Formation of Collective Management Organization of Literary Copyright held the Copyright and Technology Webinar: Episode 2 yesterday.

Union Minister for Information Dr Pe Myint and the ministry’s departmental officials, chairperson, deputy chairpersons and members of the Committee on Formation of Collective Management Organization of Literary Copyright, and interested persons participated in the online seminar.

Speaking at the event, the Union Minister said there were many copyrights issues to be discussed, and they are wide.

There were literary copyright problems in the past, and changing technology trends will likely create more problems, he added.

As the web conferencing would focus on the ways of solving the literary copyrights problems with the use of technology, the discussion would result in broadening knowledge that can spark new ideas and new visions, and do’s and don’ts of literary copyright. The Union Minister also expressed his hope that participants in the online seminar are assumed to write more valuable matters for the readers during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period.

Chairman of the Committee on Formation of Collective Management Organization of Literary Copyright Saya Chit Oo Nyo made greeting remarks, followed by the playing of video clip about copyright.

Vice-Chairman 1 of the Committee U Myint Tun discussed the topic entitled “Changing Publishing Industry Trends in the Digital Age and Copyright Issues” and Vice- Chairman 2 U Thaung Su Nyein discussed “Protection of Literary and Artistic Works Copyrights and the Role of Technology”.

A panel discussion on literary and artistic works copyrights was also held. The Committee’s Vice Chair 2 U Thaung Su Nyein moderated the discussion participated in by the Committee’s members U Zaw Min Oo and Writer Lun Htar Htar. The discussion’s panellists replied to the questions raised by the attendees.— MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

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A total of 95 Myanmar citizens who were stranded in foreign countries because of the suspension of commercial flights returned home by relief flight yesterday.

The Myanmar embassies in Washington and Seoul jointly organized the relief flight of Myanmar Airways International to repatriate the 95 Myanmar nationals – 60 from the United States, 2 from Australia, 1 from Japan, and 32 from the Republic of Korea. The flight landed at the Yangon International Airport in the evening.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government provided them with proper medical tests and arranged 7-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working with Myanmar embassies in foreign countries and local ministries concerned to bring back citizens stranded abroad due to the suspension of international commercial flights, in accordance with the guidance of the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19.

Until now a total of ninth relief flights were arranged to repatriate the Myanmar citizens from the United States via Incheon International Airport.

MNA 

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

PHOTO: MNA

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Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi said that the country is investing more in the education sector, providing more training to teachers and giving high priority to ethnic areas in development of education.

The Union Minister made the remark at the virtual meeting to discuss matters related to drafting the National Education Strategic Plan (NESP) (2021-2030) via videoconferencing on 13 December.

The virtual meeting was participated by Union Minister Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Deputy Minister U Win Maw Tun, Rectors’ Committee Chairperson Dr Zaw Wai Soe, Permanent Secretary, Directors General and Deputy Directors General of the Ministry of Education, Rectors and senior officials from universities, heads of Education Degree College, Government Technological College, Government Technical Institute and Government Technological High School and senior education officials from States and Regions.

During the meeting, the Union Minister said that his ministry is working together with all stakeholders to implement a quality education system.He continued that at the present time, 21st-century-technologies, such as “Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Cloud Computing, Big Data, and Internet of Things”, are developing very fast. He said that the labour market has rapidly changed and competition for job opportunities has intensified, so workers need higher skills. It is important for all stakeholders to work together to create an education system that can respond to the challenges of the 21st Century, he added.

The Union Minister said that in the traditional education system, which uses examination-oriented approaches, the majority of students only memorize lessons, and they are usually assessed only by examinations.

The Union Minister also pointed out that it is important to embrace the “New Normal Education System”.

He said that all schools must have quality assurance and be accountable. He continued that suggestions from all stakeholders are needed for continuous implementation of a quality education system, and criticism must be encouraged to enhance the education sector.

The Union Minister said that in drafting the National Education Strategic Plan (2021-2030), it must be done not only with the opinions of the Ministry and the experts but also with the collective strength of all stakeholders.

In the 2019-2020 Academic Year, Myanmar’s education system began using assessments measuring students’ ability in critical thinking and problem solving, according to the Union Minister. He said that Myanmar achieved encouraging progress in Southeast Asia – Primary Learning Metrics (SEA PLM). From 2016 to 2020, high school students of Myanmar competed in the International Mathematical Olympiad, and achieved 6 Honorary Mentions.

The National Qualification Framework is also being implemented by the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Committee(NAQAC), according to the Union Minister.

He said that the Ministry will help universities to provide more diploma courses, more bachelor degree courses, and more master degree courses, which will meet local requirements. He said that Research and Quality Assurance and Accreditation must be encouraged in the universities.

Participants including the Permanent Secretary and Directors General of the Ministry of Education discussed matters related to drafting the National Education Strategic Plan (NESP) (2021-2030) via videoconferencing.

MNA

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

PHOTO: MNA

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THE Myanmar ASEAN Women’s Friendship Association and the Nay Oke Foundation handed over COVID-19 medical supplies at the office of Public Health Department for the public hospitals in north district of Yangon Region yesterday.

Spouses of Myanmar ambassadors to ASEAN countries, led by Daw Khin Aye Ye who is the wife of director-general from the Strategic Studies Training Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a total of 1,400 sets of PPE level 2(A), 50 sets of PPE, 100 bottles of 500 cc hand sanitizer, 1,000 isolation gowns, 7 oxygen cylinder, 5,000 masks and 20 quarantine essential kits from MAWFA, and Dr Pyone Mo Ei, the executive member of Nay Oke Foundation, handed over 1,000 KN95 masks, 24 bottles of 500 cc hand sanitizer, 1 bottle of 18 kg disinfectant solution for each hospital in the public hospitals.

After the donation ceremony, they provided the medical supplies at the public hospital in Dagon Myothit (North & South).

The medical supplies will be shared to the public hospitals in Pale, Hmawbi, Taikkyi, Htantabin, Hlegu and Shwepyitha townships.

—MNA

Translated by Aung Khin

Photo: MNA

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MONGLA Special Region (4) donated K100 million to the Peace Commission to be used in the COVID-19 treatment, yesterday morning in the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre in Yangon.

At the donation ceremony, Chairman of the Peace Commission Dr Tin Myo Win said Myanmar has the third-highest COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, and it is the time for every citizen to take responsibility for the treatment and containment of the disease. He added the donation by the Mongla Special Region (4) is the necessary help during the crisis and helping to fight against the disease is also the act of peacemaking by the Commission.

Representative for the Mongla Special Region (4) U Kyaw Kyaw handed over the donation to the Chairman of the Commission and received the certificate of honour.

The ceremony was also attended by the officials from the Peace Commission and the Ministry of Health and Sports.

The Peace Commission has donated a total of 19,320 of PPE level-2 surgical gowns, 109,500 surgical masks, 36 sets of powered air-purifying respirator and K162 million cash assistance to the public hospitals and military hospitals in Kayin State, Rakhine State, Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon Region. The Commission will continue to donate the COVID-19 devices to the Yangon General Hospital, North Okkalapa General Hospital, Waibergi Hospital, Muslim Free Hospital, No (1) Military General Hospital, Military Orthopaedic Specialist Hospital and General Hospital in Nay Pyi Taw.

— Ye Khaung Nyunt

Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung

Photo: MNA

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A ceremony to mark the 72nd International Human Rights Day was held virtually yesterday morning.

Chairman of Myanmar National Human Rights Commission U Hla Myint read the President’s message.

Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye and the Chairman of Commission delivered speeches at the event.

After presenting an animation jointly created by the MNHRC and the Good Neighbour International (GNI), Mrs Dawn Del Rio, on behalf of UNDP Resident Representative (Myanmar) of UNDP and U Aung Myo Min, the Executive Director of Equality Myanmar, delivered commemorative remarks on occasion.

Prizes were also awarded to the winners in the contests of poems and articles about the event.

Awards were given to the winners in the short film contests organized by the MNHRC and the Alliance Myanmar.

The ceremony was concluded after the staff members of commission sang the song titled ‘Human Rights for All’, composed by Di Ra Mo, which was initially sung by vocalists Aung Htet and Jewel.

—MNA

Translated by Aung Khin

Photo: MNA

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MYANAMAR delegation led by Director-General of Social Security Board virtually joined the 37th ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) Board Meeting hosted by Cambodia on 9 December.

During the meeting, Director-General for National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Mr Ouk Samvithyea of Cambodia, Managing Director for Employee Trust Fund (ETF) Mr Haji Omar bin Mohd. Dali of Brunei Darussalam and Chairman for NSSF Governing Body Dr Ith Samheng, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training of Cambodia respectively made an opening speech.

The leaders held Recognition Award given ceremony and Myanmar Social Security Board won “Continuous Improvement Recognition Award” with the topic of “The preparation and attempting of SSB, Myanmar for Continuous Improvement”.

 Then, the ASSA Good Practices Session was held and PowerPoint presentation under the topic “Coverage Expansion and Progress of NSSF”, was made by Cambodia, while “Implementation of Health Insurance for Workers in Informal Economy” by the Philippines, ‘Efficiency Communications’’ by Thailand, “Portability of Social Security Benefits for Migrant Workers” by the Philippines, “Implementation of Pension Scheme for Private Sector” by Viet Nam and “Gig Workers through Platform Providers” by Malaysia.

The Plenary Session of the meeting was held and ASS Secretary-General of Cambodia NSSF and Director of NSSF’s Policy Division Mr Heng Sophannarith made closing remarks.

—MNA

Translated by Khine Thazin Han

Photo: MNA

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