( 1 )  Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Tajikistan

Yangon, 9 Sept- Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Imomali Rakhmonov, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Tajikistan which falls on 9 September 2001.

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( 2 )  Secretary-1 inspects all-round construction work of Mindhamma Hill

Yangon, 8 Sept-  Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, together with officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at Mindhamma Hill where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image is kept in Insein Township this afternoon. They were welcomed by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, deputy ministers, officials, scholars and members of the pagoda board of trustees. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 paid homage to the Buddha Image. Then, the Secretary-1 inspected progress of construction of Gandakuti Kyaung-dawgyi, the northern and southern stairways and installation of Myanma handicraft, construction of the retaining wall and Mindhamma Hill Garden. Then, the Secretary-1 inspected all-round construction tasks of Mindhamma Hill and attended to the requirements. The Secretary-1 left there in the afternoon.

Enrolment rate of children aged 5 years on steady improvement Goal set for adult illiteracy rate for year 2000 to be 11% bettered Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt addresses International Literacy Day ceremony

Yangon, 8 Sept- A ceremony to mark the year 2001 International Literacy Day was held at the Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road this morning, with an address by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary-1 said: It is indeed a great pleasure for me to welcome you to the proceedings of the International Literacy Day. First of all, I would like to point out that on September 8 every year, the Union of Myanmar celebrates without fail International Literacy Day and it is a clear indication of her commitment to the global effort to rid the world of illiteracy. Furthermore, I would like to say that these proceedings also indicate the resolve that the Union of Myanmar has to bring about education for all. The resolve is based on the clear and solid objectives that the Government has laid down for achieving this goal. In order to ensure that our motherland, Myanmar, is able to stand shoulder to shoulder with other countries in an international setting, the State Peace and Development Council is making every effort to improve education and raise its standard. Education is one of the foundations of development and plans to improve it are being implemented in accordance with the national social objectives identified. To improve the national system of education, three undertakings must be carried out in unison.

These are provision of basic education for all, the propagation of academicians and technocrats; and provision of continuing education opportunities to create a learning society. Provisions must also be made systematically for the continuing education of all those citizens who have achieved basic literacy through the "education for all" programmes. The people of Myanmar have always had a high regard for education. Also a long history of cultural development of over a thousand years has meant that the rate of literacy has been very high in Myanmar. At the time when the whole country was colonized in 1886, the literacy rate stood at over 85%. However, because of the suppression of the national religion throughout the country, the literacy rate was only 35% when Myanmar regained her independence in 1948. Since regaining independence, successive governments have made great efforts to improve the literacy rate. Such efforts on a national scale have meant that by 1964, the total illiteracy rate that stood at 65% in 1948 was reduced to 43%. By 1983, it was further reduced to 21.4%. In order to keep this up and to further improve the education system, the Government has implemented the Special Four Year Plan and the National Long Term Plan for Education. In order to systematically carry out the Education for All (EFA) projects, a hierarchy of committees has been established.

At the highest level, is the National Education for All Co-ordination Committee. Then there is the EFA Executive Committee which is chaired by the Minister of Education. There are also EFA Committees at the state, division and township levels. In implementing EFA Programmes, certain goals were set for formal as well as non-formal education sectors for the year 2000. Universalization of Primary Education (UPE) was the goal and a target of 80% was set for completion of primary education and the national illiteracy rate was to be reduced by 11%. In order to ensure provision of primary education for all children of school-going age; in 1999, starting from the second stage of the Education Promotion Programme, the project for improving the enrolment rate for primary education was launched throughout the nation. Government departments, local authorities,  teachers, parents, school boards of trustees, non-government organizations and other well-wishers have pooled their resources together in order to ensure that all children can have access to primary education. The Ministry of Education has also designated school enrolment days.

During these school enrolment days, the well-wishers have provided not only moral support but financial support as well. They have also provided school furniture, exercise books, textbooks and other stationery, school uniforms, slippers, raincoats and other items of use. Because of the goodwill evident in these measures, primary school enrolment has improved from year to year. For the 1999-2000 School Year, the enrolment rate of children aged 5 years was 91% ; for the 2000-2001 School Year it was 91.5% and the 2001-2002 School Year it was 92.05%. In the non-formal sector as well, at the state and division level, and also at the district level basic literacy programmes are being carried out successfully for those who for various reasons have managed to complete their primary education or those who have never attended primary school and for adult illiterates. Furthermore, in his guidelines Senior General Than Shwe has directed that basic literacy (3R's) classes should be opened in the border areas to provide literacy for those children of school-going age who for various reasons had not been able to attend school. These classes aim not only to improve the education of the rural people but also to help them develop economically. Due to the systematic implementation of the programmes, the goal set for the adult illiteracy rate for the year 2000 to be 11% has been bettered. It now stands at 9% and therefore the adult literacy rate has increased to 91%. For the academic year 2000-2001, the adult literacy rate is 91.4% and continuing education programmes are now being implemented in Mandalay Division, Sagaing Division, Magway Division and Ayeyawady Division.

As a result of the literacy programmes, for the year 2000, the following positive results have been achieved- basic literacy (3R's) programme for the border areas have made it possible for East Kengtung area; Shan areas such as Mong Ye and Hsipaw, Palong area, Kokant area, Wa, area Naga and Rakhine areas to increase the number of newly literates by 7,515 persons; follow-up basic literacy programmes were carried out in Ayeyawady and Magway Divisions and the number of newly literates was increased by 52.767; literacy programmes in Bago Division and Mon State brought about an increase in the number of newly literates by 82,373. The total number of persons who became literate because of the literacy programmes carried out during summer was 140 thousand. I have also been made aware that those states and divisions that have been declared free of illiteracy. Rakhine State and Kayin State will also carry out programmes to rid themselves of illiteracy will carry out follow-up programmes to prevent relapse into illiteracy.

Continuing education programmes which include activities to further improve the reading ability of neo-literates together with income generating and quality of life improvement programmes are being carried out in the newly opened rural education resource centres. The Head of State, Senior General Than Shwe, in his guidelines have directed that we must strive to improve on the gains that we have made. Furthermore, the opening of libraries right down to the village level will serve as an effective catalyst for the establishment of a learning society in Myanmar. Due to these measures, the creation of such a society is bound to materialize in the not too distant future. Since 1990 when the World Conference on Education for All was held at Jomtien in Thailand, the Union of Myanmar has actively participated in the global Education for All activities. AS a result of this international collaboration, the Asian Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU) of Tokyo, Japan has made it possible for the Government and people of Japan to donate towards the establishment of the Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre in the year 2000. Their donation covered the cost of the building and modern electronic equipment. During the first year of its existence, the Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre has held 30 capacity building workshops with a total attendance of 1,618 participants. The most recent workshop has been on computer utilization in NFE information management and use of Geographic Information System (GIS).

Also, today a printing press received under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass Roots Project will also be inaugurated as the Pyin-nya Yadana Printing Press. On behalf of the Government of the Union of Myanmar, I would like to offer our thanks to the Government and people of Japan for their friendship, goodwill and cooperation. In his guidelines, the Head of State, Senior General Than Shwe, has identified 5 programmes for regional development. Included are two programmes that will help rural people become more educated and at the same time enable the families to generate their own income. These will in turn aid the Education for All endeavours such as literacy and income generation. This is why I would like to urge everyone concerned to rally round to make the EFA programmes a success and thereby promote further educational and social development. that I would like to state as a member of the family of nations, the Union of Myanmar would actively participate in activities such as International Literacy and Education for All as they are beneficial to the progress and development of nations. In conclusion, I would like to urge those in the field of education: to improve the national standard of education and to eradicate illiteracy by undertaking Education for All programmes with zeal and patriotism; to raise the reading ability of all and to successfully implement continuing education programmes such as income generation and quality of life improvement programmes; and to create a learning society in Myanmar.

Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, chairman of Civil service Selection and Training Board, vice-mayor, members of Education for All Central Coordinating Committee, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments concerned and officials, rectors, principals of Teacher Training Institutes, members of the formal and informal Education for All Work Committees diplomats, resident representatives of UN agencies and officials, representatives of social associations, prize winning students and guests. First, Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt delivered a speech. He said: Then, Resident Representative of UNDP Mr John B Mendis gave a speech. Afterwards, General Secretary of Myanmar National Commission for UNESCO Rector U Han Tin of Yangon Institute of Education read out thee message of the UNESCO Director-General.

Later, Secretary-1 presented prizes to the students who won prizes in the essay writing competition to mark the year 2001 International Literacy Day. In high school level competition, the first prize went to tenth standard student Ma May Thwin Zaw of BEHS Danubyu, Ayeyawady Division, the second prize to tenth standard student Ma Shu Ma Wa of No 1 BEHS Nyaunglaybin, Bago Division and the third prize to tenth standard student Maung Lin Htet of No 2 BEHS Monywa, Sagaing Division. In middle school level competition, the first prize went to seventh standard student Maung Han Min Than of No 1 BEHS, Bogalay, Ayeyawady Division, the second prize to seventh standard student Ma Nant Yi Mon Thwin of Khamauksu BEMS Laymyathna, Ayeyawady Division and the third prize to sixth standard student Ma Thin Nwe Aye of Myoma BEMS NyaungU, Mandalay Division. Next, a documentary video titled "Informal Education work of Myanmar" was presented to guests to the guests and the ceremony came to an end. After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party and guests viewed the exhibition to mark the International Literacy Day.

( 3 )  Secretary-1 receives Ambassador of European Commission

Yangon, 8 Sept- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Mr Klauspeter Schmallen-bach appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of European Commission to the Union of Myanmar at the guest house of the Ministry of Defence at 4 pm today. Also present at the call were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet.

Secretary-1 inspects Drug Elimination Museum

Yangon, 8 Sept- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, together with ministers, deputy ministers and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at the Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Hanthawady Road and Kyundaw Road here at 10.30 am today. They were welcomed there by Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win and officials. The Secretary-1 inspected the site chosen and preparations for construction of more buildings in the museum compound. After inspecting the booths of the museum, the Secretary-1 urged officials concerned to carry out tasks for additional displaying of booths on national races and border areas in accordance with the current progress of these areas. The Secretary-1 inspected the meeting hall, offices, arrangements of the office of Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association and electronic library in the museum. The Secretary-1 gave instructions to the officials and left the museum in the morning.

Secretary-1 visits Exhibition of IT Students' View on Myanmar

Yangon, 8 Sept- Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt visited the Exhibition of IT Students' View on Myanmar at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road this morning. The Secretary-1, accompanied by ministers, deputy ministers and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall at 9.30 am. They were welcomed there by Deputy Ministers for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt, members of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Exhibition and officials. The Secretary-1 viewed the School Profile Project booth. Then, the Secretary-1 watched the movie "Achein Khayithe" made with the use of three dimension computerized system by the students of the Practising School of the Institute of Education. Next, the Secretary-1 viewed the Students' Web and Websites booth, the Computer Painting booth, the Power Point booth, the Have Fun With Computers booth, the Video Conferencing booth, the Science Demonstration booth and the Computer Network booth. The Secretary-1 presented cash awards to the students who are participating in the exhibition.

( 4 )  Minister U Win Aung sends felicitations to Tajikistan

Yangon, 9 Sept- U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Talbak Nazarov, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Tajikistan which falls on 9 September 2001.

"Soon" offered to members of the Sangha

Yangon, 8 Sept- The staff families of the Ministry of Industry-2 offered "Soon" and presented offertories to the Rector Sayadaw of the State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon) and members of the Sangha at Mogok Sonsarsaung of the University this morning. Present were Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin and wife, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin and wife, Deputy Minister Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw and wife, managing directors, directors and guests. The Rector Sayadaw administered the Five Precepts. The minister, the deputy ministers and officials presented offertories to members of the Sangha. The minister presented K 100,000 for a day's meal for members of the Sangha to Director-General of the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U San Lwin. The Rector Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained. After the ceremony, "Soon" was offered to members of the Sangha.

( 5 )  Myanmar delegation arrives back from General Assembly of AIPO

Yangon, 8 Sept- The Myanmar delegation led by Chairman of National Convention Convening Work Committee Chief Justice U Aung Toe yesterday arrived back here after attending the 22nd General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization held at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, from 3 to 5 September. The delegation was welcomed back at the airport by Chairman of National Convention Convening Commission Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, members Attorney-General U Tha Tun and Auditor-General Brig-Gen Tin Aye, officials of the Supreme Court and office of the National Convention Convening Commission and Charge d' Affaires ai of Royal Thai Embassy Dr Raden. Secretary of Multi-party Democracy General Election Commission U Aye Maung and Joint Secretary of NCCWC U Thaung Nyunt also arrived back on the same flight.

MNA Minister inspects installation of equipment at auto-telephone exchanges in Yangon Yangon, 8 Sept Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw yesterday inspected installation of equipment at auto-telephone exchanges and cellular and CDMA exchanges in Yangon. The minister inspected Hanthawady auto-exchange and Bahan auto-exchange. The Chief Engineer of Yangon telephone exchange reported on the installation of equipment under S-12 Digital auto-exchange and progress of work and officials on extension of telephone cable in exchange region. The minister gave instructions on completion of the project as scheduled. The minister inspected installation of equipment, control room and auto radio telephone room. In the afternoon, the minister arrived at Shwedondine Cellular and CDMA Telephone Station where the chief engineer reported on installation of new equipment for CDMA telephone system. The minister inspected the cellular telephone room and radio communication room.

Myanmar delegation attends General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization

Yangon, 8 Sept-  The Myanmar delegation led by Chairman of National Convention Convening Work Committee Chief Justice U Aung Toe attended the 22nd General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization (AIPO) held in Bangkok from 3 to 5 September and the head of the Myanmar delegation addressed the meeting.

At 8 pm on 2 September evening, the group leaders of the member countries and leaders of permanent special study groups from Myanmar and Brunei Darussalam held the executive committee meeting at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel in Bangkok and passed a decision to submit the agenda of the General Assembly and the matters to be discussed. They called on Chairman of ASEAN Inter-Parli-mentary Organization (AIPO) Maj-Gen Manoonkrit Roob-kajorn at the hall of the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel at 8 am on 3 September. The leaders of the study groups from New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, European Parliament and Canada also called on the chairman. At 9.30 am, the opening ceremony of the General Assembly was held at the hall of the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel with an address by Chairman Maj-Gen Manoon-krit Roobkajorn. Prime Minister of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra also delivered an address.

The messages sent by Heads of State to the General Assembly were distributed to the delegates. In his address, Leader of the Myanmar delegation U Aung Toe said genuine multi-party democratic system will be practised in the country according to the fundamental principles laid down by the National Convention. He said favourable foundations are to be built for emergence of a democratic state that will practise multi-party democratic system. These tasks are being implemented for smooth transition from the old system to a new one. If everything goes according to the plan, success will be achieved in so short a time. 

Therefore, the State Peace and Development Council is striving for this purpose. By doing so, a peaceful, modern, developed nation will surely be emerged. In order to restore a genuine multy-party democratic system, tasks in conformity with out country are being undertaken step by step, making aware of experiences of some nations in the world. Leaders of the member nations, permanent special observing groups and study groups led by Chairman of the 22nd General Assembly of AIPO Maj-Gen Manoonkrit Roobkjorn were granted an audience by the King of Thailand at Klai Kangwol in Saln Roeng, Hua Hin District. The general assembly was attended by members of AIPO, delegates of permanent special observing groups, study and dialogue partners and the assembly ended on 5 September.

( 6 )  Minister inspects installation of equipment at auto-telephone exchanges in Yangon

Yangon, 8 Sept- Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw yesterday inspected installation of equipment at auto-telephone exchanges and cellular and CDMA telephone exchanges in Yangon. The minister inspected Hanthawady auto-exchange and Bahan auto-exchange. The Chief Engineer of Yangon auto telephone exchange reported on installation of equipment under S-12 Digital auto-exchange and progress of work and officials on extension of telephone cable in the exchange region. The minister gave instructions on completion of the project as scheduled. The minister inspected installation of equipment, control room and auto radio telephone room. In the afternoon, the minister arrived at Shwegondine Cellular and CDMA Telephone Station where the chief engineer reported to him on installation of new equipment for CDMA telephone system. The minister inspected the cellular telephone room and radio communication room.

( 7 )  Families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donate provisions to Sarthintaiks

Yangon, 8 Sept- Families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donated provisions to Taunggyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Bahan Township at 8.45 am today. Present were Presiding Sayadaw of Taunggyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Ottama, Sayadaws and members of the Sangha, Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein and senior officers of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), Director-General of the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, Chairman of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein and departmental officials, Chairman of Bahan Township Peace and Development Council U Tun Hla Aung and officials, wellwishers and members of wut associations.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from Taikoak Sayadaw of Nyaungdon Pariyatti Sarthintaik Sasanadhaja Dhammacariya Bhaddanta Kalyanadhamma. Commodore Soe Thein and senior military officers offered alms to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. Then, Commodore Soe Thein, Col Ngwe Thein of the Ministry of Defence and Lt-Col Chan Maung presented 23 bags of rice, nine viss of edible oil and 19 viss of gram donated by the families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air). Provisions included five bags of rice donated by Yangon West District Peace and Development Council and Bahan Township Peace and Development Council, 100 viss of iodized salt and 10 boxes of fine salt by Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise and Yangon Division Salt Millers Association, 50 packages of traditional medicines by the Department of Traditional Medicine, one bag of rice each by Sasana Yeiktha Ward Peace and Development Council and Ward Union Solidarity and Development Association of Bahan Township, Ward Maternal and Child Welfare Association, U Aung Kyi Soe-Daw Malar and family, U Chit Maung-Daw Htwe Kyi and family, 100 packages of cough relief medicine by Thukhathida Medical Store, 108 packages of traditional medicines by Traditional Medicine Practitioner U Hla Htay and Daw Tin Nwe of Hmancho Medical Store, 234 boxes of Great Wall pain relief ointment and 30 boxes of traditional medicines by Kyaw Traditional Medicine Enterprise. Then, Commodore Soe Thein and officials accepted the donations made to the trust fund of Taunggyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik by the wellwishers.

The donations included K 100,000 by the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd, K 3,000 by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, K 300,000 by Chairman of Ruby Dragon Jade and Gems Co Ltd U Nay Win Tun, K 20,000 by Thihadama Manizotadara U Than Naing-Daw Kyi Kyi Swe and family of Thamada Thingantaik, K 20,000 by U Thaing Win-Daw Htay Htay Nyunt and family of BTB Company, K 10,090 by U Thein Maung-Daw Pa Pa and family of Sandi Traditional Medicine and others. Col Kyaw Myint of the Ministry of Defence supplicated on the purpose of the donation. Taikoak Sayadaw of Taunggyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits for good deeds. At the ceremony, the families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and the wellwishers donated 33 bags of rice, nine viss of edible oil, 19 viss of beans and peas, 100 viss of iodized salt, 10 boxes of fine salt, 512 packages of traditional medicines and K 523,590 to the trust fund. Similarly, families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donated provisions to Panditayama Sarthintaik, Yadana Theinga Sarthintaik, Wahalet Sarthintaik, Thirimingala Sarthintaik, Zeya Mingalar Sarthintaik, Maha Wuntha Damarakhita Sarthintaik and Maygawun Sarthintaik at Panditayama Sarthintaik in Hline Township this afternoon. Present were Chairman of Hlaing Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Panditayama Sarthintaik Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Pandita and members of the Sangha, Director of Resettlement Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myat Hein and senior officers of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), township authorities, departmental officials, members of Township USDA, Maternal and Child Welfare Association and wut associations, wellwishers and guests. Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Pandita invested the congregation with the Five Precepts. Brig-Gen Aung Thein, senior officers of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and departmental officials donated alms to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha. Col Myat Hein, General Staff Officer (Grade I) Cmdr Aung Min and Deputy Provost Marshal Lt-Col Saw Lwin of the Ministry of Defence presented rice, edible oil and peas and beans donated by the families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) to the Chairman Sayadaw of Hline Township Sangha Nayaka Committee. Brig-Gen Aung Thein and Col Myat Hein accepted cash donations made to the trust fund of the Sarthintaik. General Staff Officer (Grade I) Lt-Col Tin Aung supplicated on the purpose of the donation.

The Presiding Sayadaw of Panditayama Sarthintaik delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits. At the ceremony, donations in cash and kind included 170 bags of rice, 122 bags of peas and beans, 550 iodized salt, 55 boxes of fine salt, 60 viss of edible oil, 1,829 boxes of traditional medicines and K 1,019,160. Tatmadaw families (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donated provisions to six Sarthintaiks and one Nunnery in Hline Township. Provisions were 118 bags of rice, 125 viss of gram, 600 viss of iodized salt,Ê60 tubes of tooth paste, 73 viss of edible oil,Ê2,362 boxes of assorted traditional medicines and K 1,068,050. Similarly, Tatmadaw families (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donated provisions to three Sarthintaiks in Tamway Township.

( 8 )  Paper reading session to mark International Literacy Day held

Yangon, 8 Sept- The paper reading session to mark Year 2001 International Literacy Day was held at Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre in the compound of Myanmar Education Research Bureau this afternoon. U Than Oo, Dr Ye Aung and U Thaung Tut answered queries raised by those present in the general knowledge quiz programme on non-formal education. U Than Oo, U Saw Aung, Director-General of No 1 Basic Education Department U Tin Nyo, Chairman of MERB U Myint Han and Assistant Research Officer of MERB Daw Nyunt Nyunt will read out papers at the paper reading session on 9 September morning. Interested persons may attend the quiz programme and the paper reading session.

Printing machine donated to Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre

Yangon, 8 Sept- A ceremony to open Pyinnya Yadana Printing-Press was held in the compound of Myanmar Education Research Bureau this morning, attended by Minister for Education U Than Aung. Also present were director-generals and chairmen of departments and commissions, Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Shigeru Tsumori, Chairman of Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre U Than Oo and members of the administration board, rectors, professors, principals, teachers and students. First, Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Shigeru Tsumori and Chairman of Myanmar Education Research Bureau U Myint Han formally opened the printing-press. Then, the guests looked round in the printing-press. The government and people of Japan donated the printing-press worth US $ 65,000 to Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre. The printing-press will print books on literacy works and development of reading skill. It will also fill orders for printing books from others.