Nearly all schools are government operated, but their has been an increase in privately funded schools (which specialize in English). School is compulsory until the end of elementary school (approx 9 years old), while the compulsory schooling age at an international is between 15 & 16.

The literacy rate of Burma, according to UNESCO Institute of Statistics (2005) stands at 89.7% (males 93.7% and females 86.2%), although there is dispute over the accuracy of the provided statistics. The annual budget allocated to education by the government is low with only about 1.2% is spent per year on education. English is taught as a second language from Kindergarten.

When Burma gained independence in 1948, the government sought to create a literate and educated population, and Burma was believed to be on its way to become the Asian Tiger (export driven model of economic development) in the region. However, a military dictatorship took hold in 1962 and Burma became an isolated and impoverished nation. Most of the early foreign high schools since 1860 (such as La Salle schools) in Burma were nationalized in 1965 after the order restoration of General Ne Win.

Education standards began to fall after the schools were nationalized. When students protested in 1988, all universities were closed around Burma for 2 years. Another series of student strikes in 1996 and 1998 resulted in another 3 years of closure. Since 1999, the government has scattered universities into different regions. A new system was introduced which shortened the university term by one year making a Bachelor degree just a three year course. Improvements have been made recently and in 2005, the Ministry of Foreign affairs officially announced that Burma education was reaching an International standard.

In spite of this Burma still lags far behind in terms of educational standards. Once at its zenith in the region, Burma today has well trained qualified teachers, though very little resources and aging materials. Many universities have been built and scattered throughout cities to prevent students from potential unrest.

Pre Schools are opened for children over 2 years of age and they are in extensive care. Kindergarten starts from Year 5 (not younger than 4 years and 8 months at the time of schools commencement date).

Primary Education

Primary education is officially compulsory, although many children do not attend. It lasts five years, and to continue onto secondary school, students must pass a comprehensive examination of basic subjects.

Secondary Education

Secondary education is divided into Middle schools (Standards 6-8), and upon passing the Basic Education Standard VIII examination, students continue onto High Schools which covers Standards 9-10. At the end of Standard 10, students must pass the Basic Education Standard X Examination (Matriculation Exam) in order to receive their diplomas. Those who pass six subjects with substantially higher scores, continue their Tertiary education at the Institutes of Medicine in Yangon, Mandalay or Magway.

Students who do pass the Matriculation examination receive either a Diploma A or Diploma B. Those with a Diploma A are allowed to continue their educations at University. Secondary schools are usually combined, containing both middle and high schools. Children of military personnel and those with military connections are often given easier access to the more prestigious secondary schools.

Major Tertiary institutions located throughout Myanmar include -

University of Mandalay (Mandalay University) is the second oldest university in Burma (Myanmar). It was formally established as an independent learning institution in 1958.

Prior to its establishment, it was an affiliate of Rangoon University. Previously, it was known as the Mandalay Arts and Science University. Historically, while Rangoon University was considered the centre of science studies, Mandalay University was famous for its Arts programs.

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The Defence Services Academy was first established in the Ba Htoo military base near Yauksauk in Shan State in 1955.

The DSA, was moved its base into the British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Division in 1957.

As one of the most Burma's prestigious military academy, many male youngsters are interested to attend the academy for the aim of future career in the Defence services.

The Institute of Medicine, Mandalay was first founded as a branch of the Faculty of Medicine, of Mandalay University. In 1955 it relocated to its present site in Chan Aye Thar Zan Township in Mandalay.

Departments were established in phases -

• 1954 - Anatomy and Physiology
• 1956 - Pharmacology, Pathology, Bacteriology, Medicine and Surgery
• 1957 - Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Forensic Medicine, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat
• 1960 - Microbiology
• 1964 - Pre-Medical in Chemistry, Physics, Zoology and Botany
• 1987 - Biochemistry
• 1990 - Orthopaedics

The Mandalay General Hospital was initially the principal teaching hospital of the Institute. At present there is thirteen hospitals affiliated with the Institute. It currently conducts twelve Diploma courses, nineteen Masters Degree courses, eleven Doctor of Medical Science courses and seven Ph.D. courses.

It is the only University in Myanmar which offers specialization in Marine Science. A Marine Science Laboratory is being developed at Setse, a sea coast town located about 60 kilometres south of Mawlamyaing (Moulmein). This is first of its kind in Myanmar.

The library contains approx 25,000 usable volumes and 30 periodical subscriptions for the students and faculty.

It was founded (as the Willis and Orlinda Pierce Divinity School) in 1927 with four students. It was later renamed as the Burma Institute of Theology and, since 1989, known as Myanmar Institute of Theology. Throughout its history, MIT has served as the highest institution of Christian theological education in Myanmar.

Around the year 2000, MIT has approx 450 students and 21 faculty members. It is affiliated with the Myanmar Baptist Convention, but also serves Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran and other Protestant groups in Myanmar.

The school since 1966 has been entirely staffed by Nationals since the departure of American Baptist missionaries from Myanmar.

The university is located in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State and it forms a great university for native Shans.

After the BEHL (Basic Education High Level) exam the Yangon Technological University offers a six year engineering degree course. At the third year, students are divided according to their interests.

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Chemical Engineering (including a food diploma)
• Mining Engineering
• Metallurgy
• Petroleum Engineering
• Textiles
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Architecture

Of these Civil, Mechanical & Electronic Engineering are on the highest demand by students. Many cities now have GTC's

Yangon Technological University

It was renamed Government College in 1904 and University College in 1920 when University College (secular) and Judson College (Baptist affiliated) were merged. The American Baptist Mission decided to recognize Judson College as a separate institution within the University of Rangoon. The Judson Church, inside the main campus of the University is a Baptist church; the name Judson derives from that of Adoniram Judson, an American missionary who completed the first Burmese-English dictionary. There is also a convocation hall inside the university

The University of Rangoon modelled itself after Cambridge University and Oxford University. Throughout the 1940's and 1950's, Rangoon University was the most prestigious university in South East Asia and one of the top universities in Asia attracting students from across the region.

However following the ascent of the socialist government of Ne Win in 1962 under the Burmese Way to Socialism, Rangoon University was put directly under control of the Directorate of Higher education, a central government agency, whereas previously, the University was operated by a council of professors, scholars and government officials. In addition, the medium of instruction of the University of Rangoon was changed to Burmese, a radical departure from English, which had been the University's medium of instruction since the founding of the University. Educational standards declined considerably and international bodies stopped recognizing degrees issued or obtained at the University.

The university was renamed the Rangoon Arts and Sciences University (RASU), after departments and faculties (medicine, economics, education etc) were separated from the university. In 1989, after the military junta had changed place names throughout Myanmar, the University was renamed Yangon University or University of Yangon.

Yangon University was closed throughout the 1990's because of the fears of the 1988 uprising, in order to prevent student activists from assembling. To this day, the university is shut down at irregular intervals by the government. To prevent students from congregating, the government has separated the existing institutions and departments that made up Yangon University into separate learning institutions dispersed throughout Yangon.

Today, only graduate courses, some professional courses and a few diploma courses are conducted at the University's main campus, with newer universities such as Dagon University, designated for undergraduates.

Significant Events

• 7th July 1962 - University students staged peaceful demonstrations and protests on campus against "Unjust University rules". Ne Win sent in troops to disperse the students which led to dozens of students being shot and killed and the historic Rangoon University Student Union (RUSU) building being dynamited to rubble the next morning.
• 5th December 1974 - University students snatched the coffin of former UN Secretary General U Thant on display at the Kyaikkasan Race Course and erected a makeshift mausoleum on the grounds of the RUSU in protest against the government for not honouring their famous countryman with a state funeral. The military stormed the campus on 11th of December killing some of the students, recovered the coffin and buried U Thant at the foot of Shwedagon pagoda.

The Motto of the University of Medicine.

Service

Sympathy

Humanity

The Lanmadaw campus is next to the Yangon General Hospital and University of Dental Medicine, Yangon, while the Pyay Rd campus is located across from the Myanmar Radio and Television Station.

A course in medical science was first introduced in Burma in 1923-24 at Rangoon College, on the premises of the Rangoon General Hospital. In 1929, the classes were transferred to the present building at Lanmadaw township, the foundation of which was laid by Sir Harcourt Butler on 2nd February 1927.

The medical college became a constituent college of the University of Rangoon in 1930. From 1942 to 1945, during World War II, there was a temporary suspension of the MB,BS. course. A modified course was conducted instead, on the successful completion of which the Licentiate of the State Medical Board was conferred. Although the medical college building remained intact, all the laboratory equipment, and all the mounts and specimens collected in the Pathology and Forensic Medicine Department Museums were completely destroyed, and valuable books from the College library were also lost.

After the war, all the constituent colleges of the reconstituted Rangoon University became Faculties, and the Medical College became the Faculty of Medicine, under the administration of the Dean. On promulgation of the University Education Act in May 1964, the Institute of Medicine were established. In 1973, the administration of the three medical Institutes and the Institute of Dental Medicine was transferred to the Ministry of Health, and came under direct control of the Department of Medical education.

The MB,BS. course extends over seven and a half years

First MB,BS. course extends for one year and covers language communication subjects

• Burmese
• English
• Mathematics & Statistics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Botany
• Zoology
• Introduction of Human Anatomy
• Physiology & Biochemistry

Second MB,BS. course extends for one year and covers subjects

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry

Third MB,BS. course extends for one year and covers subjects

• General Pathology & Haematology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Students are also posted for six months each to the medical and surgical wards for clinical training.

Final MB,BS. Part I course extends for one year and covers subjects

• Forensic Medicine
• Preventive and Social Medicine (with three weeks residential field training in the rural areas)
• Systemic Pathology

Students attend lectures & clinics in Medicine, Surgery, Child Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and posted to the various teaching hospitals, including posting in Department of Preventive and Social Medicine for visiting Urban Health facilities.

Final MB,BS. Part II course extends for one year and covers subjects

• Child Health
• Medicine
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Surgery

Students study the allied specialties i.e. eye, ear, nose and throat diseases, urology, neurology, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, orthopaedics & traumatology, skin diseases, mental health & psychiatry, oro-maxillo facial surgery, radiology, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, anaesthesiology, thoracic surgery and paediatric surgery.

A summarise examination is held at the end of the Final  MB,BS. Part II course.

House Surgeon course covers one year.

All students, after successful completion of the Final  MB,BS. Part II examination, are continued to train hands on for a one year period as house surgeons in a recognized teaching hospital in Yangon and/or at a State and Division Hospital.

After completion of the House Surgeonship the MB,BS. degree is offered to the students.