Myanmar
In 2013, Myanmar launched its first multi-sectoral policy on ECCD for children 0-8 years. The Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement (SWRR) ministry at the time pledged an increase to 28% of its budget towards ECCD services while the Education ministry commits 12% of its budget towards pre-school education.
Since 1999, armed conflicts have affected provisions of early education and early years social services. However, improvements can be observed as the country stabilizes.
A new curriculum for preschools and daycare centers, as well as teachers’ manual and guidelines for children under age 3 have been developed. The public sector has since increased ECCD services as private provisions decline.
Challenges
- Data collection and compilation at national level.
- Teacher competencies and preschool registration.
- Children in mobile families (Internally Displaced Persons or IDPs) and children in camps.
Priorities
- Establish Model Preschool in regional levels of every state and division and Mother Circle in every township for children under-three.
- Early Childhood Intervention Program
- Kindergarten curriculum
Ministries in charge
Two ministries (Social Welfare; Education) coordinating through focal departments under Plan
Key Policies
National ECD Network
National Representative
Arnec National Representatives For Myanmar
UNICEF
Nwenwe Aung
Nwenwe62@gmail.com
Noteworthy Practices
1. Community-based early childhood care, health, and education
Noteworthy aspects:
- Community-based childcare services for early childhood are developed by establishing Parent Core Groups to address childhood development issues, including child protection and nutrition.
- Achievements: Collaboration between public service providers, local and community-based organizations across 44 villages in Myanmar. Promoting safety and security of women and girls in the communities through provision of safe space for children to play and learn while parents work.
2. Holistic children development through ECCD project (by Save the Children)
Noteworthy aspects:
- Strong community and parents’ engagement through consultations, in-kind contributions to the ECCD centers, and participation in ECCD networks.
- Achievements: Project benefitted 42 townships across Myanmar since 1997. 18,000 children reached between January 2013 and June 2014 to benefit in project that supports language learning, development of social skills, good hygiene behavior. Parents and grandparents trained on nutrition.
3. Mother Circles: Inclusion of low-income families
Noteworthy aspects:
- Parenting education on developmentally appropriate practices is provided to community volunteers and support groups to benefit low-income families and rural communities. Activities are managed at low cost with a participatory community approach.
- Achievements: Child participants have been found healthier with weight gained and improved physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development as observed by parents and community members. There is also increased demand for these services.
Latest Resources
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