( 1 ) In Myanmar, tradition to pay respects to teachers flourishing in successive eras The World Teachers' Day observed in honour of attribute, code of conduct and gratitude of teachers

Yangon, 5 Oct - The World Teachers' Day was observed at Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road at 8 am today, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.

Sixth standard students Ma Yadana Aye Min and Ma Naw Mary of Sangyoung BEHS No 2 acted as masters of ceremonies. Then, Myat Saya (Noble Teacher) song was presented by students. Next, Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt delivered an address.

The Secretary- 1 said the United Nations designated 5 October as the World Teachers' Day this year and Myanmar observed the day for the first time in Myanmar on a grand scale. Holding of the ceremony vividly showed Myanmar's stand and determination to actively participate in international cooperation for development of the role of the teachers. It is a ceremony to honour the teachers as Myanmar people pay respects to them like parents in accord with Myanmar's culture and customs.

He said observance of the World Teachers' Day worldwide showed the great value of the teachers who play a vital role in nurturing human resource which is the most basic factor for development of every nation. The day was observed in honour of the status, code of conduct and gratitude of the teachers.

At a time when Myanmar has been making endeavours for promotion of national education after laying down the education promotion programmes systematically, the World Teachers' Day was designated. Development of the sector of teachers who are social and economic architects of the State would be taken into consideration with seriousness. It is necessary for the State and the people to provide assistance to it.

In Myanmar society, everybody highly values the gratitude of the teachers. Every person has parents and he must have teachers. Father and mother are regarded as the first teachers in Myanma traditions and they were assigned duties of the teachers to train their children to be clever and polite and to get on well with others in society.

There are three kinds of teachers - one who teaches lessons, one from whom lesson is taken by sight and one from whom lesson is taken through hearing. There has been a good tradition that Myanmar people regard those who can give some knowledge to them as teachers.

 Myanmar people feel indebted to every person who has provided education or knowledge and pay respects to him as a teacher. The teacher is placed in the same category as the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha and the parents. Myanmar people have been paying respects to teachers as they value and admire them.

That is why there are many poems, verses and homilies in Myanma literature that show codes of conduct, responsibilities, status, and value of the teachers along with the value of wisdom. All the pupils and the entire Myanmar society have accepted and practiced such teachings.

As Myanmar society and Myanmar people respect and admire the dignity of teachers, the teachers on their part lead the pupils like parents as required by the codes of conduct.

In Myanmar society it is necessary for the teachers to possess the attributes such as morals, integrity and wisdom which are norms to evaluate the social standard. Every person who assumes himself as a teacher is to possess these norms.

In Myanmar, cultural tradition to pay respects to the teachers has been in existence throughout successive eras. Nowadays, this tradition has been practiced even more. There have been frequent reports of paying respects to the teachers individually or collectively.

It is heartening to see the ceremonies to pay respects to the retired teachers being held in the universities, institutes, colleges and basic education schools.

Under the education promotion programme, specific days of activity have been designated in the education calendar in which a day to pay homage to the teachers has been fixed.

In accord with the development of science and technology in the world, the State Peace and Development Council is introducing education reforms after drawing plans to be on a par with international standard.

The role of teachers as well as that of the cooperation of society and the public were included in the education reforms. Teachership development programme was implemented in education promotion programme (First Phase) which started in 1998. According to the programme, teachers training schools and teachers training institutes were upgraded to the education colleges. Pre-job courses on teachership were conducted for the teachers to enable them to enjoy education opportunities.

Teachership development undertakings have been successfully implemented in promoting the quality and the momentum of education reform system of the State phase by phase after combining the education promotion programmes, the special four year-education promotion plan and the 30 year-long term education plan.

According to teachership development programmes, the qualification and opportunity of teachers have been promoted. Under these programmes, the education system providing constant opportunities for teachers has emerged and the bright prospects for teachers have been created.

For teachership training, there are now 19 education colleges and two institutes of education where under- graduate courses, on-job training courses, correspondence courses and bridging courses were being conducted, thus contributing to further studies up to M.Ed and Ph.D degrees.

Under these programmes, the Government is making arrangements for those who passed matriculation exams can join teachership training as well as bridging courses that contribute to further studies for B.Ed, and for those who are graduates can join Post- Graduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDT) Course and Post Graduate Diploma in Multimedia Arts (PGDMA) Course and for those who have not obtained teachership certificates can join primary and middle school level teachership correspondence courses and distance teachership courses that employ information and communication technology.

Teachers are of paramount importance in successful implementation of the education plans being laid down by the Government with a view to promoting the education standard.

This being so, the Government has been placing emphasis on teachers development sector aimed at improving their abilities and creating better opportunities for them in future.

The norms to be fulfilled by the schools are stated in the book "Pyinnya Beikman High School" and that to be fulfilled by the teachers in the "Education Promotion Programmes and Teachers' Role".

At a time when the Government has been creating the opportunities for teachers in appreciation of their important role, the teachers, on their part, are to nurture and train themselves to be qualified for successful implementation of education plans.

To ensure the emergence of a constant learning society, the teachers themselves are needed to constantly study and constantly create and formulate new ideas for successful implementation of the education plan.

In Myanmar society, there have been traditions and customs of paying profound reverence to teachers who can wield their influence in rural community. Thus, the teachers are to uphold the fine traditions and behave themselves in a fitting manner in leading the students and the people for the emergence of a knowledge-based Myanmar society.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged the teachers being assigned duties throughout the nation to nurture and train their students to become outstanding students in education, to become those who cherish and love the nation and the people, to become those who are imbued with nationalism and Union Spirit, to teach the students to become those who are capable of discharging duties in development of Myanmar society, to actively participate in the sector wherever they are assigned for successful implementation of education plan at a time when the Government and the people are making efforts to promote the education standard, to nurture and train the students who are being entrusted to them by the State and the people to become those who are outstanding in all sectors and love and cherish the nation and the people, to work for the development of socio-economic life of the people in the areas of the universities and colleges to which they are assigned duties. The Secretary-1 expressed his wish that the teachers would behave in accord with the attributes of the noble teachers on the World Teachers' Day that honoured and highlighted the key role of teachers in socio-economic development of the present and future world.

Then, Coordinator of Myanmar Education for All Director-General U Tin Nyo of No 1 Basic Education Department read out the World Teachers' Day message sent by leaders of UNESCO, ILO, UNDP and UNICEF.

Next, the Secretary-1 presented first, second and third prizes to Assistant Lecture U Than Win of Yangon University Myanmarsar Department, Lecturer Daw Nilar Myint of Yangon Western University Myanmarsar Department and Lecturer Daw Tin Tin Wai of Yangon University Myanmarsar Department in the university, college and institute teachers level article contest respectively; and Headmistress Daw Nu Nu Sein of Mahaaungmye BEHS No 3, Assistant Township Education Officer U Min Wai of Chanayethazan Township and Headmistress Daw Cho Cho of Yankin BEHS No 2 in the basic education high school teachers level article contest respectively.

Then, the General presented first, second and third prizes to Junior Assistant Teacher Daw Mya Mya Than of Botahtaung BEHS No 6, Headmistress Daw Mya Mya Thein of Gyobingauk BEMS No 2 and JAT Daw Nan Tin Yi of Mawlamyine BEHS No 7 in the middle school teachers level article contest respectively; and PAT U Win Thein of Aungpan Village BEPS No 174 in Pyinmana Township through Botahtaung BEHS No 6 Headmaster U Kyi Than, Headmistress Daw Khin Win of Chanayethazan BEPS No 17 and Headmistress Daw Toe Toe Htay of Ahlon BEPS No 8 in the primary school teachrs level article contest respectively.

Afterwards, the General presented prizes to tenth standard student Ma Cho Zaw Aung of Latha BEHS No 2 and eight standard student Ma Zin Zaw Aung who drew the logo design to mark the World Teachers' Day.

Minister for Education U Than Aung presented first, second and third prizes to first year student Ma Htet Naygyi Win of Pakokku Education College, third year student Maung Chan Nyein of Sagaing Education College and second year student Ma May Moe Kyu of Mawlamyine Education College in the education college poem contest respectively; and second year student Ma Hnin Zargyi Wan of Pathein Education College, first year student Ma Khin Sandi Ko of Taunggyi Education College and first year student Ma Thin Leh Leh Soe of Monywa Education College in the education college level essay contest respectively.

Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt presented first, second and third prizes to winners in the basic education high and middle school level poem and essay competitions respectively. After the ceremony, the General cordially met with those present, teachers and students and inspected the Exhibition marking the 2002 World Teachers' Day.

Secretary-1 inspects progress of development tasks in Maubin region

Yangon, 5 Oct - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt, left here by car this morning and arrived at Mezali Village in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Division, at 9.30 am.

 Then, the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Maubin, Ayeyawady Division, where they were welcomed by local authorities, departmental personnel and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.

Next, the Secretary-1 inspected progress in construction of development tasks in Maubin region. First, the Secretary-1 and party inspected Maubin University Construction Project being implemented on Maubin-Kyaiklat Road in Maubin for human resource development of Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education.

Then, the Secretary-1 inspected construction of the concrete road, 18 feet wide and 1,200 feet long, leading to Maubin University and progress in construction of four-storey main building of the university. Chairman of Dagon International Co Ltd U Win Aung conducted the Secretary-1 and party round the construction site.

At the briefing hall there, Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt reported on arrangements for installation of modern teaching equipment including computers at Maubin University.

Then, Chairman of Dagon International Co Ltd U Win Aung reported on completion of the four-storey main building, four two-storey lecture halls, extension of the archway and the entrance road and future tasks of the project.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 gave instructions on water and power supply, communications works, greening tasks and drainage of the university to officials.

The Secretary-1 and party then proceeded to the construction site of Government Technical College (Maubin) Project being undertaken on Maubin-Yele Road in Maubin for human resource development of the Ministry of Science and Technology and inspected construction of the main building and lecture halls.

At the briefing hall, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung reported on academic matters and Managing Director Dr Zaw Tun of Shwe Kyarbyan Construction on construction of the main building, lecture halls, workshops and the archway of the college with the use of charts. The Secretary-1 gave instructions on construction tasks to be carried out with the aim of ensuring uplift of the buildings in long term and fulfilled their requirements.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party arrived at Maubin District Hospital where they were welcomed by Head of District Health Department Dr Thein Wai, the medical superintendent, doctors and nurses. First, the Secretary-1 inspected extension of Maubin District Hospital (200-bed). At the briefing hall, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint reported on the lay-out plan of the hospital and construction and restoration of old buildings.

Managing Director U Ohn Myint of Htut Khaung Development Co Ltd reported on progress in extension of new buildings at the hospital. The Secretary-1 attended to their needs. Next, the Secretary-1 and party paid homage to the Buddha image at Shwephonemyint Pagoda in Maubin.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party paid homage to Presiding Nayaka of Dhammayon Shwekyin Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Anadhivara and Ovada�ariya Sayadaws of the Pagoda and donated provisions to the Sayadaws.

Then, Dagon International Co Ltd Chairman U Win Aung and Shwe Kyarbyan Construction Managing Director Dr Zaw Tun donated K 1.5 million for the Htidaw of the pagoda and K 2 million for construction of Maubin District Sasana Beikmandaw. Later, the Secretary-1 and party arrived back here in the afternoon.

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( 2 ) Tatmadaw families and wellwishers donate cash and kind to monasteries in Pazundaung Township

Yangon, 5 Oct - Families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donated rice, edible oil, salt, grams, medicines and cash to Mya Theintan, Phaya Phyu and Nyaunggon Kyaungtaiks in Pazundaung Township, Yangon East District, at Mya Theintan Kyaungtaik at the corner of Anawrahta Street and Botahtaung Pagoda Road this afternoon.

First, the congregation received the Five Precepts from Phaya Phyu Kyaungtaik Presiding Saya-daw Agga Maha Sadhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Narinda Bhiivamsa.

Next, Adjutant General Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister U Aung Khin, Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear Admiral Soe Thein, Tatmadaw senior officers and departmental heads presented offertories to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. Then, on behalf of the families of the Tatmadaw, Camp Commandant of the Camp Commandant's Office, Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Hla Aung Thein, Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear Admiral Soe Thein and Colonel General Staff (Air) (Mechanical) Col Ye Chit Pe donated rice, edible oil and grams.

The Ministry of Religious Affiairs YCDC and Yangon Division, Yangon East District and Pazundaung Township Peace and Development Councils donated rice; Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines 300 viss of iodized salt and 30 boxes of soft salt; the Indigeneous Medicine Department bottles of traditional medicines; Myanmar Fisheries Federation and Yangon Division Fisheries Federation and Dagon Myanmar International Co and Sandi traditional medical house rice and durian jams; Pazundaung Township edible agents 100 viss of edible oil; Hmancho, Tun Shwewa, Htet Lin, Kaythipan, Kyaw, Awayya and Kantha medical houses traditional medicines; and Pazaundaung Township Health Department Head Dr Kyi Kyi Khin 50 viss of iodized salt.

Next, cash for trust funds of the three monasteries were donated. Afjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister U Aung Khin, Chief of Statf (Navy) Rear Admiral Soe Thein and military officers accpeted the donations. The cash donations were: K 30,000 by Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air Force) families; K 30,000 by UMEHL; K 9,000 by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council; K 150,000 by Ayeya Myay Co; K 15,000 by Yangon (East) District and Pazundaung Township Peace and Development Councils; K 90,000 by nine ward peace and development councils; K 60,000 by Shwebin Ngwebin and Hlagaba furniture; K 30,000 by Hmacho medical house; K 50,000 each by Great Wall Co, Myanmar pyithar hyay Co; Thammada Thingan house; Win Yadana transportation, Kyaw medical house, U Kyaw Soe Moe, Daw Thida Than and family, Yenadi Co and U Aung Myat Moe, Daw Khine Thandar Soe and family; K 50,090 by Sandi traditional medical house; K 30,000 each by Myanmar Fisheries Federation and Yangon Division Fisheries Federation, San Myanmar International Co, Tun Shwewa medical house and Myo Aung industry; K 20,000 each by Htet Lin medical house, Kaythi Pan medical house, Daw Hla Hla, Daw Mya Thein and son U Yan Shin of U Wisara housing estate; K 15,000 each by Myint Myat paddy trading and Thitsa Pankhin film and video production; K 11,900 by Dagon U Tin Win and family; K 10,000 each by Sayagyi Co, Adviser to the Ministry of Culture Dr Pe Nyan, Kantha and Awayya medical houses, the Kyemon Daily, U Ko Ko Gyi, Daw Thein Kyi and family, Pazundaung Township WCWA, Township Law opffice, Township Court, Township Internal Revenue Department and Township Cooperative Department; K 5,000 by Township USDA, Township WVO, Township Police Force, Township Immigration and National Registration Department, Pazundaung market office, Township MCWA, YMBA, Shwebonpwint Pagoda trustees' board, Township rice merchants association and Pazundaung market management committee.

Today's donations were: 112 bags of rice, 130 viss of edible oil, 350 viss of salt, 30 boxes of soft salt, 1169 packets of traditional medicines, 60 viss of pulses & beans, 10 packets of duriamn jam and K 1,289,990.

Provisions donated to Thanantana Dhammapala (Hindu) Association in Pabedan Township

Yangon, 5 Oct - Families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donated provisions and cash to Thanantana Dhammapala Hindu Association in Pabedan Township at the Association on Bo Sun Pet Road here this afternoon.

First, Adjutant General Lt-Gen Thein Sein offered lights to Lord Buddha. Next, All Myanmar Hindu Paroheit Pujari (Hindu monks) Central Organization Chairman Shri Parama Siwun Shiva Charia recited mantras. Then, Lt-Gen Thein Sein and party shared the merits gained for the donations.

Cash and kind donations for the Association were then made. The cash donations were: K 20,000 by Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air Force); K 10,000 by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council; K 150,000 by Super Coffeemix; K 100,000 by Ayeya Myay Co; K 111,111 by All Myanmar Tamil Hindu Foundation and Asia King Co; K 15,000 by Yangon West District and Pabedan Township Peace and Development Councils; K 30,000 each by Myanmar Fisheries Federation, Yangon Division Fisheries Federation and Sun Myanmar Co; K 11,900 by Dagon Myanmar International Co; K 10,000 by Myint Myat paddy cultivation group; K 15,000 by Daw Hla Hla of Lanmadaw Township; K 20,000 by Htet Lin medical house; K 50,000 by Kyaw medical house; K 50,090 each by Sandi traditional medical house and Ananda Inn; K 55,555 by Shri Kamachi Devi Temple trustees; K 51,000 each by Maung Kyaw Win rice mill accessories and ball bearing trading, Sri Bajrang Lal Sharma and family, Win Star Opticals, Myanmar Ananda Co, Sein family, Sri Bindraban Bajoria and family, Mya Yadana Enterprise, Sri Staya Narayan Lihla & Bandoola Myanmar Co, More Enterprise Myanmar Ltd, Royal Global Co,ICCI international commodities limited, R Pyarilal & Co, Vishal Enterprise, Thein Enterprise and Vintel Export Co; K 50,000 by All Myanmar Tamil Hindu Development Association; K 20,000 each by Tun Shwewa medical house, Thammada Thingan house, Hmancho medical house and Kyathipan medical house; K 10,000 each by Sayagyi Co and Awayya medical house; K 31,000 by Panimax Trading Myanmar Co, K 30,000 each by Aung Tharaphu PVC pipe trading and Hindu welfare society; K 31,000 by Tawwin brokerage; K 25,000 each by Aung Thitsa export and import and Myitta Dhana Co; K 21,000 each by Golden Brother Store, Sri Shyan Lal Danuka and Sri Raj Kumar Jain; K 51,000 by M-24 Co, K 21,000 each by Kedia Light and Sri Ramesh Jalan; K 20,000 each by Daw Helen and family, Sri S K Samy, Diamond Crown Co, U Ba Maung, Ko Than Tun and Ma Nan Kham Mai of Lashio; K 11,070 by Annawar Pipe Trading; K 11,000 each by Nippon TV and Sri Dinesh Patodia family; K 10,000 each by Latia Sevasran, Rajendra, Santi Sagar International Co, Nanda Lal Chand and family and U Pan Sein, Daw Lachamee and family.

Today's donations were 73 bags of rice, 35 viss of edible oil, 100 viss of iodized salt, 20 packets of soft salt, 1057 packets of traditional medicines, 60 viss of pulses & beans and K 2,407,427.

( 3 ) Ministry of Transport holds coord meeting

Yangon, 5 Oct - The Ministry of Transport held the second day session of the second four-monthly coordination meeting at Myanmar Maritime University on Bayintnaung Road at 9 am today.

Present were Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe Than, Officer on Special Duty Brig-Gen Myo Tint, directors-general, managing directors, the principal, the rectors and advisers of departments, enterprises, the institute and the university, leaders of the Supervisory Committees for Operating Full Capacity and officials.

First, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint gave a supplementary report. Then, Deputy Minister U Pe Than reported on the respective sector. Next, the Minister gave a concluding remark and the meeting came to an end.

Minister inspects Myittha Bridge construction

Yangon, 5 Oct - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, together with Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials, arrived at the construction project site of Myittha Bridge in Kale, Sagaing Division, yesterday. The minister gave necessary instructions. Then, the minister inspected the pile boring and work being done.

( 4 ) Culture Minister inspects rebuilding of Kanbawzathadi Palace

Yangon, 5 Oct - Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, arrived at the construction site of Kanbawzathadi Palace in Bago this morning.

The minister met with officials of Development Affairs Department and Shwe Thanlwin Co who are undertaking pleasant and beautifying tasks at Bhamayathana Throne Hall and gave necessary instructions. Then, the minister inspected renovation of Archaeological Museum of Kanbawzathadi Palace. At the briefing hall, the minister met with officials of Archaeology Department, Bago Division Public Works, DAD and Shwe Thanlwin Co and gave instructions on carrying out of construction tasks, handicraft works and greening tasks.

Next, the minister inspected progress of Myanmar handicraft works at the buildings and gave necessary instructions.

Ministry of Industry-1 holds six-monthly coord meeting

Yangon, 5 Oct - The first six-monthly meeting to assess works in 2002-2003 and to coordinate tasks to be implemented for achieving the target was held at the training hall of the Ministry of Industry-1 this afternoon.

First, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung gave an opening address. Then, the factory managers and the managing directors reported on first six-monthly production targets for 2002-2003, actual production, financial matters, raw materials, distribution of finished goods of Myanma General and Maintenance Industries, Myanma Ceramics Industries, Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries, Myanma Foodstuff Industries, Myanma Textile Industries and Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries.

Officials of Industrial Coordination and Inspection Department reported on tasks in their respective sectors. Then, the minister presented prizes to winners for drawing the annual reports in 2001-2002 financial year and gave concluding remarks.