Programme to lower dropout rate attracts 75,000 students in 10 years
Programme to lower dropout rate attracts 75,000 students in 10 years
Myanmar Times, 03 Apr 2018
URL: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/programme-lower-dropout-rate-attracts-75000-students-10-years.html
A Total of 75,000 students attended the Non Formal Primary Education (NFPE) programme over the past 10 years, according to the Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre (MLRC).
The free education programme provides an opportunity for children who do not have access to education to attend classes outside of public schools.
The Ministry of Education, MLRC, UNICEF, UNESCO and other organisations and donors collaborated to shape the programme, which started in the 2008-09 academic year.
The programme targets children from 10 to 14 years old who have no access to education. It gives them a chance to re-join school to finish basic education. The programme takes two years to complete.
"After completing the NFPE, children can access formal education in a government school. Thus, the NFPE is an equivalency education programme. It benefits children as itoffers a second chance for children to attend school,” said U Than Oo, chair of the MLRC.
Although 75,000 students attended the programme within the past ten years, according to the 2014 census, 2.7 million children from five to 16 years old do not attend school or drop out before they finish primary school.There are an estimated 3.5 million people over 15 years old who are illiterate in Myanmar.
A reason for dropping out is that some children work in factories or other jobs to help their family earn money, said U Tin Nyo.
In the 2017-2018 academic year, the NFPE programme is being conducted in 93 townships nationwide, and nearly 70 of its students took the matriculation exam.
The free education programme provides an opportunity for children who do not have access to education to attend classes outside of public schools.
The Ministry of Education, MLRC, UNICEF, UNESCO and other organisations and donors collaborated to shape the programme, which started in the 2008-09 academic year.
The programme targets children from 10 to 14 years old who have no access to education. It gives them a chance to re-join school to finish basic education. The programme takes two years to complete.
"After completing the NFPE, children can access formal education in a government school. Thus, the NFPE is an equivalency education programme. It benefits children as itoffers a second chance for children to attend school,” said U Than Oo, chair of the MLRC.
Although 75,000 students attended the programme within the past ten years, according to the 2014 census, 2.7 million children from five to 16 years old do not attend school or drop out before they finish primary school.There are an estimated 3.5 million people over 15 years old who are illiterate in Myanmar.
A reason for dropping out is that some children work in factories or other jobs to help their family earn money, said U Tin Nyo.
In the 2017-2018 academic year, the NFPE programme is being conducted in 93 townships nationwide, and nearly 70 of its students took the matriculation exam.