This week, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (“Myanmar”) became the 66th developing country partner of the Global Partnership for Education (“GPE”). Working with GPE partners based in Myanmar, the country has articulated its education priorities in a national education strategic plan (NESP). The plan spells out the key challenges that the education sector faces, and provides a roadmap for sector-wide reforms for the period 2016 to 2021.
The NESP targets all education sub-sectors from preschool to higher education. Its goal is “improved teaching and learning, vocational education and training, research and innovation leading to measurable improvements in student achievement in all schools and educational institutions”.
Myanmar joins GPE upon fulfilling the standard partnership requirements, which include a credible education sector plan endorsed by its development partners, and commitment to the GPE Compact and GPE Charter. Myanmar also expressed its commitment to continue increasing national domestic financing for education.
The development of the NESP has been supported by the local education group comprising the education ministry, civil society partners and development partners, including Australia, Asian Development Bank, Denmark, DFID, EU, Finland, Germany, Japan, Save the Children, Switzerland, UNESCO, UNICEF, Voluntary Service Overseas, World Bank, and national NGOs MyME and Ratana Metta.
It is expected that through the continued strengthening of education sector planning, implementation and monitoring, the country will progressively realize the commitment to leave no child behind, including the most vulnerable such as children with disabilities, out-of-school children, ethnic and religious minorities and those affected by conflict.
Myanmar will join GPE’s Asia and Pacific constituency, one of the six Board of Director constituencies held by the developing country partners of GPE.
As a GPE partner country, Myanmar is eligible to apply for a Program Implementation Grant of up to US$73.7 million over three years.