Burma has realised that an improvement in the quality of education at all levels is a key factor in ensuring that that young people acquire the skills they need to participate successfully in a modern economy, and to help shape a sustainable, harmonious future for the country.

For this reason the Ministry of Education has agreed to carry out a comprehensive education sector review encompassing all areas of education, including education policy, access to education, quality of education, education systems and educational management.

After completing the planning stages, senior officials from the Burmese government came together with development partners to formally launch the Comprehensive Education Sector Review (CESR) on 23 October, 2012. Chaired by the Union Minister for Education, Dr. Mya Aye, the high level launch provided a strong demonstration of a shared committment to improve education around the country, and support the achievement of national development goals. The development partners who will undertake the CESR are ADB, AusAID, British Council, Denmark, DFID, EU, JICA, Norway, UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank and others.

British Council is focusing their support for the CESR on two areas in particular: Language in Education and Assessment, as these are very important for reforming the education sector. British Council consultant, Ms Helen Drinan has already made recommendations regarding English as a language of instruction.

Led by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with other Ministries and with the coordinated technical assistance and financial support of development partners, the Review will be conducted in three phases over the next two years.

Phase 1 – identifying urgent priorities and reform issues to be addressed
Phase 2 – conducting further in-depth analysis to fill remaining knowledge gaps
Phase 3 – producing costed education sector plans

The British Council is proud to be involved in this nationwide programme as a trusted partner of the Ministry of Education. In addition, we are also assisting the MoE and UN agencies with the provision of ELT training as well as consultancy on all ELT related matters.