( 1 ) Secretary-1 attends consecration ceremony for Mandalay Maha Muni Buddha Image, rice offering ceremony

Yangon, 7 July - The consecration ceremony for Mandalay Maha Muni Buddha Image was held in conjunction with the rice offering ceremony at Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi of the Buddha Image at 6 am this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, Vice-Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Masoeyein Taikthit Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Sirindabhivamsa, Secretary Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara and member Sayadaws, Ovadanariya Sayadaws of the Pagoda Board of Trustees, members of the Sangha, Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint, the ministers, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the deputy ministers, the Mandalay Mayor, the Deputy Commander, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, local authorities, departmental personnel, members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, social organizations, wut associations, wellwishers and local people. First, the Secretary-1 and party paid obeisance to the Buddha Image and offered gold foils to the Image. Then, the ceremony opened with the three-time recitation of Namo Tassa.

Next, 108 members of the Sangha at the eastern, the western, the southern and the northern archways of the Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi consecrated the Buddha Image. Afterwards, the Sayadaws took places at the eastern archway to participate in the meritsharing ceremony. The Secretary-1 and party and the congregation took the Five Precepts from the Vice-Chairman Sayadaw. Then, members of the Sangha recited Parittas. The Secretary-1 and party and the wellwishers donated provisions to the Sayadaws. Next, the Secretary Sayadaw delivered a sermon and the Secretary-1 and party and the congregation shared merits gained. The ceremony ended with the three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam ‚iram Titthatu.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 accepted over 2 viss, 56 ticals and 3 yway of gold for the Seinbudaw donated by Teingyar family and K 30 million for the Shwe Hsatthaphyudaw weighing 4 viss, 53 ticals and 7 anna of gold by U Thein Win-Daw Ni and family of Shwe Thanlwin Family. Then, the rice offering ceremony was held. Rice was donated to a total of 108 members of the Sangha who attended the consecration ceremony by the Secretary-1 and party, the commander, senior military officers and the wellwishers. Similarly, regiments and units, local authorities, departments and staff, USDA members, national entrepreneurs and the wellwishers offered rice to the Sayadaws.

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( 2 ) Rapid development achieved in border areas with participation of local national race leaders and people under leadership of the government
 Special Refresher Course No 14 for Basic Education Teachers in CICS (Upper Myanmar) concludes

Yangon, 7 July - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party left Mandalay by Tatmadaw helicopter and arrived at the Central Institute of Civil Service (Upper Myanmar) in PyinOoLwin Township, Mandalay Division, at 1 pm. on 6 July. He attended the gold Htidaw hoisting ceremony atop Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi in which Maha Muni Buddha Image is being kept, on the same day.

Then, the Special Refresher Course No 14 for Basic Education Teachers concluded at Yadana Hall in Central Institute of Civil Service (Upper Myanmar) in PyinOoLwin Township, with an address by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Also present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint, the ministers, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the deputy ministers, the Mandalay Mayor, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, authorities, Rector of CICS Col Aung Hsan Win, pro-rectors, faculty members, course instructors and trainee teachers.

First, the Secretary-1 delivered an address. He said: Nowadays promotion of national education is the vital and basic requirement for national development, pre-servation of national prestige and strengthening of national capability. He said knowledge dominates development sectors of a nation and it is at the centre of all sectors. Better foundations are to be built for developing highly-qualified human resources in efforts to uplift economic, health, social and defence sector.

He said the government is implementing national education promotion programmes and plans phase by phase after holding the seminars on education with the participation of scholars, managers and teachers. It is seen that achievements have been made in education promotion programmes being implemented in the basic education sector due to systematic plans. Progress has also been made in the national education promotion special four-year project to some extent, he added. Today, efforts are being made in the education sector with the aim of developing modern science and technology, developing highly-qualified human resources and establishing a constant learning Myanma society under the national education 30-year long-term project, he said.

 The government has designated development regions in the whole country for realization of objectives on education while laying down plans for the national education promotion programme. It is also building better education foundations such as basic education schools, universities and colleges, technological colleges and computer colleges to narrow the gap between one region and another, he said. Performance of the basic education sector, the most basic one in gradual development of the national education projects being implemented systematically, plays an important role.

 He urged all the teachers to make efforts for successful implementation of education projects with full national awareness. He said the government is making efforts in all sectors for emergence of a modern and developed nation with the participation of the entire people and enable the nation to stand tall and keep abreast with the nations of the world after laying down the national project. Strengthening of national solidarity and cooperation in unity are very important for the Union of Myanmar where national races live together in trying to keep abreast with international communities, he said.

 In the past there was less national solidarity coupled with armed struggle. Therefore border areas lagged behind in development. Peace and stability has now been restored with the government's earnest efforts. Now, he said, removing different views and doubt among the national people, mutual confidence, understanding and assistance could be built. It is satisfactorily seen that rapid development has been made in border areas with participation of local national race leaders and people under the leadership of the government, he added. Realizing the rapid development of the regions and their life, local people are actively participating in development programmes and anti-drug activities under the leadership of the national race leaders, he said. The anti-drug activities are being carried out in harmony with border areas development works.

It can be seen that cultivation and production of narcotic drugs are declining gradually while the spirit of national unity, Union Spirit and nationalist spirit are flourishing among the national brethren. He urged the teachers including those who have been posted in border areas, to actively take part in the national duties of bringing about regional development and wiping out drug menace while discharging educational duties for human resources development in their respective regions. They are also to make efforts for rapid development of education and health sectors in addition to regional development in 24 development regions and to take part in five rural development tasks laid down by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe for successful implementation of the tasks joining hands with local people.

The Secretary-1 urged the teachers to propagate national solidarity, the Union Spirit and nationalist spirit among the students, to make them realize the danger of narcotic drugs and to try to become highly-qualified intellectual and intelligentsia who will serve the interest of the nation. He also urged the teachers to implement tasks on national requirements and duties and true situations explained at the conclusion ceremony in combination with educational objectives for the interest of the nation and the people.

In conclusion, he urged them to make efforts for success of national education projects that bring about human resources in enabling the Union of Myanmar to keep abreast with international communities, to participate in border areas development projects, drug eradication project and development projects for equal development of the Union and organize the students to keep nationalist spirit and patriotism and Union Spirit alive and dynamic.

Then, the Secretary-1 presented model trainee awards to Junior Assistant Teacher U Win Naing of Yaksawk BEHS in Shan State (South) and JAT Daw Than Than Htain of Natogyi BEHS in Mandalay Division; awards for diligence to JAT U Myo Myint of Pakokku BEHS No 3, Magway Division, JAT Daw San San Wai of Seikkhun BEHS (Branch), Shwebo Township, Sagaing Division and JAT Daw Khin San Yi of Ayeyat BEPS in Chauk Township, Magway Township; the best hostel prizes and completion certificates to the trainee leaders.

Afterwards, the trainees donated K 10,000 for all-round development tasks of the Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Buddha Image, K 10,000 for Tooth Relic Pagoda (Mandalay), K 10,000 for renovation of ancient pagodas in Bagan, K 5,000 for USDA, K 5,000 to hail the National Convention and K 10,000 for Zeebingyi BEHS (Branch) totalling K 50,000 to the Secretary-1, who then presented a certificate of honour to them. After the ceremony, Rector Col Aung Hsan Win reported on greening of the Institute, the lay-out plan of the buildings of the Institute, progress in annual construction of the buildings and future tasks. The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions. Afterwards, the Secretary and party arrived back Mandalay in the afternoon.

( 3 ) Secretary-1 attends opening of multimedia teaching centres, donates exercise books and pencils to monastic education schools in Mandalay

Yangon, 7 July - The opening ceremonies of multimedia teaching centre of No 5 Basic Education High School of Chanayethazan Township and No 1 Basic Education High School of Aungmyaythazan Township of Mandalay Division were held at the respective schools yesterday afternoon. Myanmar Education Committee Chairman State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt graced the ceremonies by attending them.

Also present on the occasions were member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ye Myint, the ministers, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the deputy ministers, the mayor of Mandalay, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, district level and township level authorities, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, service personnel, members of social organizations, the director-general of the No 2 Basic Education Department, members of school board of trustees, members of parent-teacher association, school heads, teachers and students, wellwishers and guests.

First, the opening ceremony of multimedia teaching centre of No 5 BEHS of Chanayethazan Township was held at 3.15 pm. Headmaster U Kyaw Win and Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Ko Ko Aung formally opened the centre by cutting a ribbon. Next, The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the signboard of the centre. The Secretary-1 and party inspected computer aided instruction room, computer skill room, audio-lab, audio-visual room and printed media and training of the students with the teaching aids. The Secretary-1 and party also inspected art studio and domestic science room.

The students performed the music skill. After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 posed for documentary photos together with members of the school board of trustees, the headmaster, teachers and students. The Secretary-1 and party then proceeded to No 1 BEHS in Aungmyethazan Township. The opening ceremony of multimedia teaching centre was held at the school. Headmaster U Toe and Chairman of school board of trustees U Maung Maung Myint formally opened the centre.

The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the signboard of the centre. The Secretary-1 and party inspected Computer aided instruction room, language lab, computer skill room, projected media, printed media and training of the students at the art studio. Later, they viewed the demonstration of art and music skills of the students at the art and music room. Afterwards, the ceremony to mark the opening of multimedia teaching centres at Chanayethazan Township BEHS-5 and Aungmyay-thazan Township BEHS-1 was held at the hall of the Aungmyay-thazan Township BEHS-1.

First, on behalf of the students, matriculation student Maung Ko Ko Win extended greetings. Next, Headmaster U Toe reported aims of opening the multimedia teaching centres and programmes for bringing out outstanding students through utilization of modern teaching and learning aids. School board of trutees chairman U Maung Maung Myint reported on collective efforts made for opening the teaching centres. The Secretary-1 gave away teaching and learning video tapes to Headmasters U Toe and U Kyaw Win.

Next, the Secretary-1 delivered an address. In his address, he said that public participation contributes much towards the implementation of education promotion programmes for uplift of educational standard of the entire people. In turning the nation into a modern and developed one, the Government has been implementing education promotion programmes and the national education promotion special four-year plan with the aims of bringing out highly-qualified intelligentsia and intellectuals of international standard.

As success is being achieved in this context to a certain extent, the 30-year education plan has been implemented. Modern teaching and learning centres have emerged in a large number of high, middle and primary schools in the country. The opening of those teaching and learning centres based on computer technology and Information Technology will lead to enhancing the talent and IQ of Myanmar youths. In the higher education level, the modern teaching and learning aids have been facilitated fully.

As a result, today's education standard has developed remarkably. After passing two years of the special 4-year national education promotion plan, the aim to keep abreast with the education standard of the developing Southeast Asian countries has been materialized to a certain extent. In this way, the Government's education promotion aim will come into reality soon if continued efforts are made collectively. In this regard, the students are to learn hard and the teachers are to teach earnestly. The momentum of public participation should also be accelerated, he observed.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party posed together with school trustees, the headmaster, teachers and students for documentary photos. Then, the Secretary-1 and party left for Mandalay Nanmyo guest house and spent the night there. At 8 am today, the Secretary-1 and party inspected the construction of 100-bed City Hospital in Maha Aungmyay Township. At the briefing hall there, Mandalay City Mayor MCDC Chairman Brig-Gen Yan Thein and Sun Change Co Ltd Managing Director U Than Naing reported matters on the hospital construction project.

The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions and inspected round the construction site. Thence, the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Ngasoh Kyaungdaik in Chanayethazan Township and attended the ceremony to donate exercise books and pencils for monastic education schools in Mandalay District at 9 am. Present on the occasion were monastic school supervisory committee member Sayadaws, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party, Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint, Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein, the director-general of No 2 Basic Education Department, local authorities, departmental personnel, USDA members, teachers and students.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt made supplication on donation of exercise books and pencils. He said the Myanmar Education Committee has been donating exercise books and pencils for monastic education students in the country. Efforts are now being made to enable all school-age children to get enrolled. As monastic education students are the needy ones, the monastic education schools are fulfilling their food and shelter needs. As a result, the number of monastic education students are increasing. These students are also being trained to be pious and disciplined with the spirit to love and cherish traditions and culture.

Hence, to get their children to be imbued with such good characters and attitude, the parents wittingly enrol them at the monastic education schools. The Government is also fulfilling the requirements of the monastic education schools. With the cash donations of well-wishers, the Myanmar Education Committee is providing exercise books and pencils with the aims to support the monastic education schools and to enabling all school-age children to go to school, he observed.

Next, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint, Minister for Education U Than Aung and Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin gave away 5,923 dozens of exercise books and 1,975 dozens of pencils worth K 4,955,750 to 42 monastic education schools in Mandalay District for 11,845 students including 846 samaneras and 50 nuns. Teacher U Aung Kyaw Soe of Ngasoh Kyaungtaik spoke words of thanks on behalf of the monastic education schools. Then, the Secretary-1 and party presented offertories to the Sayadaws.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party viewed round the computer room of Ngasoh Kyaungtaik monastic education school. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to PhaungdawU Parahita monastic education school in Aungmyaythazan Township. At 10.30 am, the ceremony to donate exercise books and pencils was held there. Present were Principal Sayadaw Maha Saddhamajotika Bhaddanta Nayaka, Vice-Principal Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jotika, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party, Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint, Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein, departmental personnel, USDA members, teachers and students.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt made supplication on donation of exercise books and pencils. He said it is to be attributed to the Sayadaws that students of PhaungdawU parahita monastic education school are achieving physical and spiritual developments. New school buildings and classrooms facilitated well with modern teaching and learning aids have also been emerged at the school. Many a number of parents prefer the monastic education schools and enrol their children to be nurtured into ones who are pious, polite and clever and possess the spirit to preserve traditions and culture.

These children who are clever, disciplined, imbued with the nationalist spirit, patriotism and the spirit to preserve traditions and culture will surely become those who serve the interests of the nation and the people brilliantly in the future. hence, the Government has been providing assistance and encouragement to the monastic education schools.

The Government has been endeavouring with the participation of NGOs and individual well-wishers for enabling all school-age children to go to school. At present, 92 per cent of school-age children are pursuing education at schools. Continued efforts are being made to implement the scheme hundred per cent, he mentioned. Next, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented 3,222 dozens of exercise books and 1,074 dozens of pencils worth K 2,695,740 to PhaungdawU Parahita monastic education school for 6,443 students including 149 samaneras and 5 nuns. Teacher Daw Chan Mya Aye spoke words of thanks. Then, the Secretary-1 presented offertories to the Sayadaws and K 500,000 for the school. As a total, the Myanmar Education Committee today donated 9,144 dozens of exercise books and 3,048 dozens of pencils worth K 7,650,840 to 43 monastic education schools in Mandalay District for 18,288 students including 995 samaneras and 55 nuns. The Secretary-1 and party then left for Yangon and arrived back here in the afternoon.

( 4 ) Myanmar delegation arrives back from Malaysia

Yangon, 7 July - A Myanmar delegation headed by Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel arrived back here by air this afternoon after attending the ASEAN Economic Ministers Informal Meeting held at Genting Highland, Malaysia. They were welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and departmental heads.

Minister inspects jetty and dockyards in Sittway

Yangon, 7 July - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Managing Director of Myanma Port Authority U Thein Htay, Director-General of the Department of Marine Administration U Soe Win, Director-General of the Department of Civil Aviation U Win Maung and officials, inspected Phaung-daw No 1 Jetty of MPA yesterday and met with staff of MV Myitkyina of Myanma Five Star Line moored at the jetty.

The managing director and officials reported on arrangements made for maintenance of the jetty and extension of the bridge. The minister gave necessary instructions. Then, the minister and party proceeded to the dockyard of DMA and heard reports on arrangenments made for repair of the dockyard and ships presented by the director-general and officials of DMA. The minister went to the dockyard of Inland Water Transport in Sittway and inspected the functions of the dockyard. This morning, the minister inspected the construction of Byaingpyu Village Bridge on Mingan Seikkan Road in Sittway and gave necessary instructions.

Minister inspects roads, bridges in Ayeyawady Division

Yangon, 7 July - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, together with Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials of Public Works on 5 July afternoon inspected the Dedaye-Pyapon road being constructed by the Ministry of Construction. Then, the minister and party arrived at Bogale and met with officials concerned. Ayeyawaddy Division Superintending Engineer U Ye Myint Swe and responsible officials reported on Pyapon-Bogale road construction. Later, the minister inspected the bridges which need to repair along Pyapon-Bogale road.

( 5 ) Commander inspects tax-free markets, agriculture & livestock breeding tasks at local battalion

Yangon, 7 July - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected the tax-free markets in Yangon City this morning and cordially met with buyers and shopkeepers. At 8 am, the commander arrived at the tax-free market on Pantaya Road in Dagon Township where he was welcomed by No 3 Military Region Commander Col Yan Naing Oo and officials. The commander inspected sale of goods at the tax-free market. Then, the commander visited the tax-free market at the corner of Kyundaw and Hanthawady Roads in Kamayut Township and cordially met buyers and shopkeepers at the market.

Next, the commander proceeded to the tax-free market near the Ministry of Industry-2 on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road in Yankin Township. No 2 Military Region Commander Col Tin Oo Lwin and officials welcomed the commander who inspected the tax-free market. The commander also visited the tax-free market on Kyaikkasan Road in Tamway Township. Then, the commander met with buyers and shopkeepers at the market and gave necessary instructions to officials.

The tax-free markets comprise of vegetable shops, meat, fish and egg shops, grocery shops of ministries, Yangon City Development Committee, regiments, units and military stations under Yangon Command Headquarters and companies, edible oil shops of the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd, rice shops of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council and Myanmar Rice and Paddy Wholesalers Association and personal goods shops of the Ministry of Industry-1.

 Then, the commander and party went to Yangon Tetmyo Market in Pha-Hsa-Pa-La Ward in Mingala Taungnyunt Township. They inspected textile shops, grocery shops, vegetable shops and meat, fish and egg shops and met with buyers and shopkeepers. The commander gave necessary instructions. Accompanied by No 1 Military Region Commander Col Khin Maung Soe, the commander inspected agriculture and livestock breeding tasks at the local battalion in Pale Myothit, Mingaladon Township.

At the office of the battalion, Commanding Officer Lt-Col Zaw Tun reported on agriculture and livestock breeding tasks being undertaken. Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe gave instructions on agriculture and livestock breeding tasks to be carried out by the regiment, the company and the family, cultivation of 100 acres of monsoon paddy, seasonal vegetables to be cultivated in the vacant and virgin lands of the battalion, livestock breeding tasks to be systematically undertaken and plans to be laid down on agriculture and livestock breeding tasks. Then, the commander inspected vegetable patches in the green houses, 16 acres of vegetable patches and fish breeding at the battalion and left the battalion.

( 6 ) Book Fair concludes

Yangon, 7 July - The concluding ceremony of the book fair held in commemoration of the Third Conference of Myamar Writers and Journalists Association took place in the compound of Sarpay Beikman Press on Pyay Road at 4 pm today.

 It was attended by Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung) and central executive committee members of MWJA, Chairman U Myint Thein (Myint Thein Aung) and members of the Committee for holding the book fair, owners and shopkeepers of the bookstalls and publishing houses which participated in the fair and guests. Secretary U Myint Kywe (Maung Myint Kywe) of the committee acted as master of ceremonies, and chairman of the committee extended greetings.

Then, a ceremony to donate cash to MWJA followed. Chairman U Myint Thein Aung of the committee accepted K 161,500 and books worth K 13,000 donated by 29 bookstalls and publishing houses. Vice-Chairman U Than Maung of MWJA presented certificates of honour to U Thein Soe of Thiha Yadana publishing house who accepted them on behalf of the shopkeepers and owners of the publishing houses. Afterwards, chairman of MWJA spoke words of thanks and the ceremony came to a close. The sales of the books throughout the fair amounted to K 16,019,450 including today's sale of K 1,684,365.