Nay Pyi Taw, 30th December 2025
The meeting of the Committee for implementing Literacy Program for Rural and Ethnic Population was held at the meeting hall of Office No. 13, the Ministry of Education, Nay Pyi Taw, this afternoon.
The meeting was attended by the Chairperson of the Committee, the Union Minister for Education Dr Chaw Chaw Sein, the Deputy Ministers, Director Generals of various ministries, members of the Nay Pyi Taw Council and officials. Additionally, the Ministers for Social Affairs and Administrators from the various regions and states participated via online video conferencing.
During the meeting, the Union Minister stated that according to the data from the 2024 Population and Housing Census, the literacy rate for those aged 15 and above is estimated to be 92.1%. The findings indicate that approximately 7.9% of the nation’s population remains illiterate. Furthermore, census data shows that the percentage of the population that have never attended school is 9.8%. Therefore, the census indicates the urgent need to provide literacy training to those aged 15 and above in regions and states, including Nay Pyi Taw.
She further noted that when implementing educational projects, it is not possible to rely solely on the Ministry of Education’s budget. It is vital to gain the support and cooperation of related ministries, the Nay Pyi Taw Council, and the close supervision and financial support of regional and state governments.
Following this, the Deputy Minister Dr Zaw Myint and U Nay Myo Hlaing delivered remarks. Then, the Director General of the Department of Alternative Education explained about the basic literacy programs, and the attendees discussed the matters related to literacy for rural people and ethnic nationalities.
Afterwards, the Union Minister coordinated the requirements.
In the morning, the Union Minister, together with the officials concerned, visited No. 7 Basic Education High School, No. 9 Basic Education High School, and No. 10 Basic Education High School, Zabuthiri Township, the Union Territory of Nay Pyi Taw, and inspected students engaged in learning peacefully in classrooms, chemistry and physics laboratories, the school canteens, and the restrooms, and fulfilled the needs, it is reported.