30 January
Since last two decades ago, thru the efforts of UNESCOemerged EFA movement, for educational attainmentto start the global plan, to educate every human.Perhaps to many people, it meant “Degrees for All.”Higher Education entrance, by the student’s perseverance was way to earn a “degree”, it would make everyone happy.
The general belief of the people in most countries of the world is that earning a College/University “Degree” is the recognition of being “educated”. According to statistics in Myanmar, only about 4% of the population have an initial degree from one of over one hundred Gov-ernment Colleges and Universities across Myanmar. Four percent of the population with a degree isn’t such a high figure. If young people seek formal learning and the recognition of their education by earning a “Degree,” so be it.
If the traditional higher education leading to a degree is quality assured, it can be good grounding for acquiring lifelong learning as is the emerging trend considering the exponential pace of technological advancement the world is currently witnessing. Continuing “learning, un-learning and relearning” in “Non-formal” or “Informal” mode supported increasingly by “on-line learning” will enable one to keep pace with the ever-changing requirements of work and life in a fast changing world.
However, if young people could acquire vocational education and training right at the outset, chances are that it will help them immensely in seeking and securing wage or self-employment . It can also enable the more enterprising young persons, after “Graduation”, to start on a business venture either on their own or in partnership with like minded other young people.
For example, learning metal welding skills can help many to get employment in the expanding steel furniture industry. The same is true for those learning “woodworking,” to seek employment in the wood furniture making industry; learning the culinary arts would enable one to get employment in the booming hotel and restaurant industry, and so on (the list could be long indeed).All these “wage earners” after some years of on-the-job experience in the “industry” could, if they so intended, start their own business ventures, with “loans” possibly from the SME or other private banks and earn more money than in wage employment.
If as mentioned above, the students and their parents covet degrees, then the Vocational/Professional “stream”, like in many other countries, can offer courses starting with awarding of Occupational Competency Certificates and continuing upwards to awarding of Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Degrees (like B.Tech/B.Voc Degree for instance) and open up a pathway to earning Higher Professional Qualifications, awarded by Professional Bodies.
As for “direct” entry to the diploma/ degree courses of the Vocational Education and Training Institutions, it could be dependent on passing the Matriculation Examination as is the entrance requirement to higher education in any other College or University. The emphasis on the “outcome” of the Vocational oriented diploma/ degree course would, of course, be more on practical application of the specific technology. A Cap and Gown ceremony could mark Graduation at these Vocational Education and Training Institutions which would make young persons and their parents proud. Perhaps, if I may express my view, it was what HE The State Counsellor alluded to in her speeches on her visit to the Chin and Kachin States by way of encouraging young people to join more TVET courses.
With Charity to all and Malice towards none.
By Lokethar
