“We have to open more craft schools. We must encourage vocational skills and general handicraft skills. We must hold it in our minds to translate important books for the public and useful books for mass production. We must open a translation department. We must send scholars to study abroad.” “However, they must bring back practical skills that are applicable for rehabilitating the nation. They must choose the education that will serve their best interest in rebuilding our country. The selected students must possess comprehensive capabilities. They require job security when they return from abroad.”
These words were spoken by national hero Bogyoke Aung San at a rehabilitation conference on 7 June, 1947, and are excerpts from a speech he delivered then. These processes detail the importance of education in building a nation and the serious connotations to cultivating in education.
Not just an education system that churns out degree holders or professors but imparts practical skills to people to make them ready to meet demands. There is a need to nurture general industrial and handicraft technicians, medical experts, construction, hotels and travel, cooking, hospitality and many similar sectors. Especially in a time like the present where there is a greater need to address national development and assist it.
At the same time we need technicians, experts and people versed in modern technology to both meet the requirements of the nation and to take the country ahead and meet international standards. These criteria must me remembered when sending scholars abroad.
There is also the need for the opportunity to use the skills learned abroad and apply it upon returning to the nation. This calls for increased job opportunities and planning projects that address the requirements of the nation through responsibility. Such an education system would put forth policies that meet all these criteria.
Leaders with foresight know the ins and outs of national and public benefits and planning educational projects is laying the building blocks of the future. Education is not an isolated field but one that requires consideration in the context of society. Especially when our nation is just developing, should we not prioritize people equipped with practical skills, vocational skills and general handicraft skills?
GNLM
