Jul 10, 2007

Sponsor: Fellows

Education and Democracy in Burma: Decentralization and Classroom-Level Educational Reform

Over the past sixty years, Burma has experienced several periods of political upheaval, each of which has affected the country's educational system. In 1948, the country transitioned from colonial education to a nationalist orientation, and later adopted a socialist-based system following the 1962 military coup.

In his presentation, Dr. Lwin:

• Analyzed these historical periods
• Anticipating Burma's eventual transition to democracy, suggested a plan to decentralize its educational system, focusing on elementary and secondary schooling at the local, regional, and national levels
• Drew upon his seven years of teaching displaced Burmese young people along the Thai-Burma border and upon his research on education and democracy
• Discussed strategies for strengthening cultural and national identities within the context of a multi-ethnic transition to democracy

With comments by:

• Dr. Sein Win
• Mr. Brian Joseph.

Dr. Thein Lwin is director of the Teacher Training Center for Burmese Teachers, a nonprofit educational organization that seeks to improve education in refugee camps and remote regions of Burma. A leading proponent of the importance of education in promoting democracy, he holds a doctorate in education from the University of Newcastle, UK. Amongst his many accomplishments, Dr. Lwin serves as a trustee of Prospect Burma, a British charity that offers study-abroad scholarships to Burmese students.

Dr. Sein Win is the elected Prime Minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma.

Mr. Brian Joseph is director of the South and Southeast Asia Program at the National Endowment for Democracy.