Naypyitaw, 21st February 2026
The Union Minister for Education Dr Chaw Chaw Sein, accompanied by the Deputy Minister Dr Zaw Myint and the Ayeyarwady Region Minister for Economic Affairs, visited No. 1 Basic Education High School in Pathein this morning and met with district and township education officers as well as school principals in Ayeyarwady Region.
During the meeting, the Union Minister stated that Ayeyarwady Region is an agriculture-based area and has the largest student population in the country. She believed that efforts had been made to achieve a high pass rate in the Grade 12 examination. She emphasized that ensuring the security and confidentiality of examination questions for the upcoming Grade 12 matriculation examination and the government examinations for Grades 5 and 9 is of utmost importance. Education officers at regional, district, and township levels, together with school principals, are responsible for maintaining such security. She also stressed the need to ensure that students will receive prescribed textbooks in hand on time before the new academic year.
The Union Minister further explained that curricula are currently being revised so that industrial, agricultural, and livestock-related subjects can be taught to middle school students (Grades 6 to 9) starting from the coming academic year in June. She added that expert teachers in these fields would provide training to middle school teachers through a cascade training programme.
Regional and township education officers and school principals then presented their reports, and the Union Minister coordinated the necessary support and assistance.
The Union Minister later visited Pathein Education Degree College, where the principal explained the preparations for upgrading the college to university level, plans for the construction of new hostels, designated building sites, and the current and proposed Master Plan.
The Union Minister then met with teachers and trainees and gave the necessary instructions. The Deputy Minister Dr. Zaw Myint also discussed the importance of collective efforts in upgrading Pathein Education Degree College to university level. The Union Minister subsequently presented honourarium to the principal and inspected classrooms, hostels, and the college compound.
Later, the Union Minister, the Deputy Minister, and the officials visited Pathein University and met with the rector, pro-rector, professors, faculty members, and administrative staff at the university’s convocation hall.
The rector first presented an overview of Pathein University and its academic activities.
The Union Minister remarked that a university without research is like music without instruments, emphasizing the need to prioritize research activities. She noted that teaching and research are closely related and that such integration would facilitate the production of high-quality research papers. She encouraged faculty members to organize research seminars based on the interests of their respective disciplines and endeavour to publish research papers that meet not only national but also international standards.
The Deputy Minister Dr. Zaw Myint then discussed administrative matters, while the director-general of the Department of Higher Education explained issues related to staff promotions and transfers.
Faculty members attending the meeting raised questions and the Union Minister and responsible officials responded to the inquires. The Union Minister then delivered concluding remarks.
It is noted that the Union Minister and accompanying officials also inspected the construction of the university guest house and toured the university campus.Bottom of Form