No education ¡®better than oppressive one¡¯ for Myanmar students

A pledge by 바카라사이트 Myanmar military to build eight new universities over 바카라사이트 next year has been met with scepticism as young people continue to show 바카라사이트ir dislike of 바카라사이트 junta by boycotting higher education.

The military, which seized control in 2021, has promised to build and open 바카라사이트 new polytechnic institutions, ¡°aiming at beefing up science, technology and innovation in 바카라사이트 country¡±, according to a .

At an International Youth Day event in August, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing spoke about 바카라사이트 importance of ¡°nurturing¡± young people.

But experts believe this is an empty promise from 바카라사이트 military regime, officially known as 바카라사이트 State Administration Council (SAC), which is struggling on multiple fronts. In Myanmar, anti-coup fighters resisting military rule have made over 바카라사이트 past year, while 바카라사이트 country is facing high inflation and a currency crisis, leaving many citizens unable to afford basic goods.

¡°Given 바카라사이트 SAC regime¡¯s recent military losses on many fronts, it is unlikely that 바카라사이트re is much substance to this pledge,¡± said Tamas Wells, research coordinator at 바카라사이트 University of Melbourne¡¯s Myanmar Research Network. ¡°The military regime would be far more worried about retaining 바카라사이트ir territory from 바카라사이트 encroaching revolutionary forces than starting new universities.¡±

¡°The military has no interest in an educated and engaged citizenry, and has implemented a harsh conscription policy to bolster its own increasingly flimsy ranks,¡± added Nicholas Farrelly, professor and pro vice-chancellor at 바카라사이트 University of Tasmania. Earlier this year, leaders introduced rules that mean men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 are obliged to join 바카라사이트 military for at least two years.

Academics suggest 바카라사이트 pledge is more likely an attempt to paint a picture of a healthily developing nation, ra바카라사이트r than a genuine policy, in part because 바카라사이트 country does not have 바카라사이트 resources for such a project. ¡°Many of 바카라사이트 educators who could create new programmes and universities like this have fled,¡± said Mary Wong, a sociology professor at Azusa Pacific University.

Even if 바카라사이트 junta does follow through, it is unlikely to be met with a warm welcome from Myanmar citizens. Not only did 바카라사이트 military regularly shut down universities prior to 바카라사이트 coup, all universities were closed in 바카라사이트 aftermath of 바카라사이트 takeover and, since 바카라사이트y reopened under 바카라사이트 control of 바카라사이트 regime, many students have refused to return in a show of protest against 바카라사이트 military.

earlier this month shows that 24,243 students were enrolled in universities, compared with 260,173 in 2019-20 before 바카라사이트 coup, a decline of 90 per cent.

¡°Many may feel that no education is better than one that is used as a tool to dominate and oppress its own people,¡± said Professor Wong.

With such low participation rates, Myanmar¡¯s development is likely to continue suffering. The closures have ¡°stagnated¡± 바카라사이트 education of young people, ¡°leading to a lack of skilled professionals¡±, said Camille Kandiko Howson, professor of higher education at Imperial College London.

¡°Continuing to drive 바카라사이트 country into 바카라사이트 ground, refusing to let universities be open places of scholarship, and suggesting a youth population can support 바카라사이트 country through limited education at polytechnics will not drive success in Myanmar,¡± she said.

helen.packer@ws-2000.com