( 1 ) Only ever-flourishing education system will enable new generation youth to face and overcome future challenges

To develop human resources which have ability to acquire and use developing science and technologies of respective branches for national progress

 Special Refresher Course No 13 for Basic Education Teachers (Upper Myanmar) concludes

 Yangon, 9 March - Special Refresher Course No 13 for Basic Education Teachers concluded at Yadana Hall of the Central Institute of Civil Service (Upper Myanmar) in PyinOoLwin Township this morning. Minister for Education U Than Aung read out the written speech of Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board Dr Than Nyun, Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein, Deputy Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Nay Win, member of CSSTB U Hla Myint Oo, local authorities, the rector of CICS (Upper Myanmar), the pro-rectors, heads of department, course instructors and trainee teachers. In the speech, the Secretary-1 said that in the world today, science and technologies are developing in leaps and bounds; the world nations are vying with each other to effectively use developing science and technologies for their interests and progress as well as for their peoples. In addition, all will have to make efforts to enable the nation to stand shoulder to shoulder with other nations, to strengthen the national economy and to develop human resources which have the ability to acquire and use developing science and technologies of respective branches for national progress. The education promotion programmes are being implemented stage by stage to enable the students to face and solve the future challenges and to instil in them the spirit and the ability to fulfil national requirements.

 The government is also implementing an education system which will serve and promote national interests in keeping with the time as education is now playing a leading role in every sector. Only an ever-flourishing education system will enable the new generation youth to face and overcome the future challenges and to uplift their spirit and will to always serve national interests. The sector has been launching the education promotion programmes since 1998-99 academic year with the aim of giving well-rounded education to students beginning from the most basic level, developing their education level to meet the international standard and narrowing the education gap between rural and urban areas. Based on the success of the education promotion programmes, the special four-year national education promotion programme has been implemented. Year-wise targets have been realized in implementing the programmes which have linked the education promotion programme (third stage) and the higher education sector.

Arrangements have been made to implement a 30-year long-term educational plan covering short-term educational plans. The long-term educational plan is aimed at enabling every citizen to acquire basic education and developing human resources who are capable of building and safeguarding a peaceful, pleasant and modern nation by use of science and technology, turning out stalwart sons and daughters who are imbued with Union Spirit and patriotism and capable of preserving and safeguarding traditional culture, nurturing children to be physically strong and have morals and providing equal opportunities of pursuing education in urban and rural areas.

 All the teachers need to nurture student youths to believe in national solidarity, the flourishing of Union Spirit and preservation of national culture and character while they are learning science, technology and information and communication technology so that the nation can be on a par with others in development. Teachers need to produce academicians and technicians who are imbued with a sense of national solidarity and Union Spirit and capable of striving for the development of the nation so that the nation can stand tall in the world.

 In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all to strive for promotion of national education so that the Union of Myanmar can stand shoulder to shoulder with others, to contribute to implementation of national educational plans designed to turn out highly-qualified human resources who are capable of overcoming the challenges of the future, and to lead the entire national people including student youths in defending the nation with patriotism, Union Spirit and nationalistic spirit.

On behalf of the Secretary-1, Minister U Than Aung presented the model trainee awards to Headmaster U Myint Zaw of Myothit BEMS, Mahlaing Township and Junior Assistant Teacher Daw Nang Sanda San of Tinton Village BEPS in Singaing Township; awards for diligence to Headmaster U Tin Aung of Yonbin Village BEPS in Shwegu Township, JAT Daw Nyunt Nyunt of BEPS No 56 in Taungbyin-1, Taungdwingyi Township, and JAT Daw Nang Khin Sein of BEPS No 7 in Zay Ward, Hsipaw Township; and model hostel awards to leaders of Hostel-7 of Male Company-1 and Hostel-5 of Female Company-1.

 Next, Minister for Education U Than Aung accepted K 10,000 for Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image, K 10,000 for Tooth Relic Pagoda (Mandalay), K 10,000 for renovation of ancient pagodas in Bagan, K 5,000 for National Convention Convening Commission, K 5,000 for Union Solidarity and Development Association, K 10,000 for Zeebingyi Village Affiliated BEHS by the trainees. After the ceremony, Minister U Than Aung had a cordial conversation with the trainee teachers.

( 3 ) Tatmadaw columns continue parade drills

 Yangon, 9 March-Tatmadaw columns which will take part in the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade continued drills at Resistance Park today. Under the leadership of Parade Commander Brig-Gen Hla Tun and Reserve Parade Commander Col Than Htay, the Anawrahta column led by Col Thaung Shwe, the Kyansittha column led by Col Tin Hla, the Bayintnaung column led by Col Khin Maung Win, the Nawade column led by Col Han Sein, the Aungzeya column led by Col Khin Maung Latt, the Hsinbyushin column led by Col Myo Thant, the Bandoola column led by Col Aung Min, the Myawady column led by Col Hla Moe and the Aung San column led by Col Thaw Zin continued drills from 6 am to 10 am. Vice-Chiefs of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Win Myint, Brig-Gen Aung Kyi and Brig-Gen Thein Swe, Chairman of Best Parade Column Scrutiny Committee Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Chairman of Security Work Committee Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, senior military officers and officials inspected the drills.

Winners for Painting and Sculpture Competitions announced

Yangon, 9 March- Hailing the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day which falls on 27 March 2002, the Subcommittee for Organizing the Painting and Sculpture Competitions and Exhibition under the Work Committee for Holding Poem and Art Competitions, chaired by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, announced winners in the painting contest.

In the pre-primary level painting category, Ma San Hnin Phyu of the pre-primary school of Defence Services Records Office won the first prize, Maung Pyi Hein Htet of the pre-primary school of the Methodist Church the second prize, Maung Khant Pi Han of Pre-primary-1 of Bahan Township the third prize and 10 consolation prize winners. In the lower primary level painting category, first standard student Ma Hsu Yamin of Dagon BEHS No 1 won the first prize, second standard student Ma May Thet Zin of Lanmadaw BEHS No 1 the second prize, second standard student Maung Htet Naing Linn of Dagon BEHS No 1 the third prize and 10 consolation prize winners.

 In the higher primary level painting category, third standard student Ma Su Myat Noe Nwe of Dagon BEMS No 1 stood the first, fourth standard student May Poe Wa Win Myint of Thingangyun BEHS No 2 the second and fourth standard student Maung Kaung Htet of Kamayut Institute of Education Practising School the third and 10 special prize winners. In the middle school level painting category, sixth standard student Maung Tha Tha Han of Myoma BEMS in Taikkyi Township won the first prize, fifth standard student Maung Thiha Tin of Dagon BEHS No 1 the second, sixth standard student Ma Khin Khin Myat Thu Hlaing of Myoma BEMS in Taikkyi Township the third and 10 consolation prize winners.

In the high school level painting category, eighth standard student Ma Hsu Win Htaik of Dagon BEHS No 1 won the first prize, tenth standard student Maung Nanda Aung of Latha BEHS No 1 the second, tenth standard student Ma Thiri Khit Oo of Kamayut Institute of Education Practising School the third and 10 consolation prize winners. In the open level painting category, Maung Ye Kyaw Tha of 483(A), Aungthabye lane-1, South Kyeepwayay Ward, Thingangyun Township won the first prize, Maung Yaza Tun of 47, Room-16, 4th floor, Thamaing Station Road, Ward 2, Mayangon Township the second, Maung Hla Han of 47, Ywethla Street, 18/A, Dagon Myothit (South) Township the third and five consolation prize winners. The sub-committee accepted 734 works from competitors in the pre-primary and basic education levels all over the country and 63 works from the competitors in the open level. Number of competitors and creation of the works have increased in the open level more than the previous year.

Winner lists of the sculpture contest in commemoration of the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day will be announced soon. In addition to the works of the Painting and Sculpture Competitions, paintings and sculptures for the exhibition are being accepted at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road. The paintings and sculptures for the exhibition will be accepted till 10 March 2002.

( 4 ) Armed Forces Day commemorative Computer Quiz continues

Yangon, 9 March- The Computer Quiz on Twelve Objectives of the State in commemoration of the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day continued at the twelve objectives booth of Defence Services Museum on U Wisara Road in Dagon Township this morning. Staff Officer (Grade-II) Maj Soe Myint Thein of Directorate of Resettlement and Assistant Lecture U Khin Maung Win of University of Computer Studies explained the rules of the quiz. Then, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association of Mingala Taungnyunt, Kyimyindine and Dalla Townships took part in the quiz.

( 5 ) Myanmar delegation leaves for Singapore

Yangon, 9 March - A 24-member delegation led by Chairman of Myanmar Plastic Entrepreneurs Association U Tun left here by air this morning to attend the 10th Term AFPI Council Meeting and ASEAN PLAS Exhibition to be held in Singapore from 11 to 15 March. They were seen off at the Yangon International Airport by the officials.

Deputy Minister inspects land reclamation

 Yangon, 9 March - Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, accompanied by General Manager of Myanma Sugarcane Enterprise U Ye Htut, arrived at the land reclamation and agriculture camp of Fortune International Ltd in Tabuhla region in Taikkyi Township yesterday morning. In-charge of the camp U Soe Naing reported on reclamation of land, cultivation of sugarcane and extension of cultivation. The deputy minister and party inspected nurseries of sugarcane. In the afternoon, the deputy minister and party proceeded to the camp of Super One International Co (Myanmar) Ltd. Those in-charge of the camp reported on cultivation, purchasing and production of sugarcane. The deputy minister also inspected the sugarcane plantations.

Yangon, 9 March -Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing, accompanied by Deputy Commander Col Hla Myint and departmental officials, arrived at the Moutnarat cement factory in Lashio on 5 March afternoon. Those in-charge of the factory reported on progress of work and the commander gave necessary instructions. Then, he inspected import-substitute coal factory and the cement factory. Then, he proceeded to the site for upgrading Lashio People's Sports Grounds and inspected the site. He also inspected water supply of the Development Affairs Committee in Lashio. Responsible officials of the DAC reported on distribution and storage of water. The commander left instructions on growing of trees and flowering plants in the surrounding areas of 10 ponds.

Yangon, 9 March- A ceremony to open the basic Buddhist culture course and basic Buddhism course, organized by Attorney-General's Office Buddha Nuggaha Association, was held at the Dhammayon of the Attorney-General' Office on Bahan Lane-2 at 11 am today. Present on the occasion were Deputy Attorney-General U Khin Maung Aye, Director-General Dr Tun Shin, directors, officials, course instructors, trainees and guests. At the ceremony, Attorney-General U Tha Tun gave a speech. A total of 56 trainee children are attending the basic Buddhist culture course and 92 trainee youths the basic Buddhism course. The courses will last up to 26 March.