Second Chance Equivalency Programme and Out ofSchool Children

Second Chance Equivalency Programme and Out -of-School Children Initiative Study in Myanmar (Myanmar NFPE) 4 October 2016 Dr. Aye Myint GB Member Myanmar SEAMEO CELLL

Background • As education is a human right, efforts have been made globally as well as locally to ensure that everyone has the right to education. • One of the major challenges faced in Myanmar Basic Education is limited access to school and high drop-out rate. • Although the majority of primary school-aged children (age 5 -9) were enrolled in school, the net primary completion rate was only 54% ( MICS data. 2009 -10 AY). • As a result there an estimated 2 million children (age 516) that have never enrolled in school nor have dropped out of the system (IHLCS. 2014).

Overview of children attending/not attending schools (Census data, 2014)

Some Reasons for not attending schools • • Cost burden to poor family Seasonal work and migration Geographical remoteness Low level of parental education Poor nutrition and health status Lack of interest in education Poor infrastructure

• In order to ensure access to education especially for out-of-school children, alternative learning programmes have been initiated. • In Myanmar NFPE is a systematically organized alternative learning programme, providing a second chance of education for out-of-school children (age 10 -14). • It is a two-year progrme equivalent to existing five-year formal primary education.

• NFPE programme is managed and supervised by four levels of management committees: Central level, region/state level, township level and centre level. Under the supervision of trained township monitors and regional monitors, trained facilitators implement the NFPE curriculum, developed by a Technical Team. • There is appreciation and commitment to the programme by all stakeholders such as MOE, INGOs, private donors, well-wishers and the community.

Progress & Achievements under Quality Basic Education Program (QBEP) • Non-Formal Primary Equivalency Education “Conceptual Framework and operational guideline for national expansion” study conducted • Standardized test for Level-2 subjects developed and used for quality assurance of NFPE • Mo. E officials learned the design structure of nationalized accreditation and certification of primary equivalency program in Indonesia • NFPE program reviewed study conducted • NFPE reached 53, 000 children (10 -14 yr) in 94 townships • EXCEL (Community-based Extended Continuous Education and Learning) focused on development of psychosocial competencies for adolescents (10 -17 yr) reached 50, 072 in 28 townships

Out-of-School Children Initiative Study (OOSCI) in Myanmar What is the OOSCI approach? Who are children out of school and where are they? PROFILES Why are they out of school? How can they be brought to school and stay there? BARRIERS POLICIES

Recommendation • Continuing education programmes for out-ofschool primary graduates such as Non-Formal Middle School Education ( NFMSE ) programme, Non-Formal Technical and Vocational Education programme, etc. should also be provided for further advancement. • The government should be viewed as the guarantor of the right to education and government therefore have a special responsibility to promote access to public goods such as education to all citizens.

• Set up policy and alternative learning strategies for OOSC through evidence based study and analysis • Develop Alternative Education Policy Framework and Quality Assurance System • Promote inclusive education for children with disabilities • Strengthen multi-sectoral coordination and response under Mo. E leadership

Thank You!