No education ‘better than oppressive one’ for Myanmar students

A pledge by the Myanmar military to build eight new universities over the next year has been met with scepticism as young people continue to show their dislike of the junta by boycotting higher education.

The military, which seized control in 2021, has promised to build and open the new polytechnic institutions, “aiming at beefing up science, technology and innovation in the country”, according to a report in state-run media.

At an International Youth Day event in August, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing spoke about the importance of “nurturing” young people.

But experts believe this is an empty promise from the military regime, officially known as the State Administration Council (SAC), which is struggling on multiple fronts. In Myanmar, anti-coup fighters resisting military rule have made significant advances over the past year, while the country is facing high inflation and a currency crisis, leaving many citizens unable to afford basic goods.

“Given the SAC regime’s recent military losses on many fronts, it is unlikely that there is much substance to this pledge,” said Tamas Wells, research coordinator at the University of Melbourne’s Myanmar Research Network. “The military regime would be far more worried about retaining their territory from the encroaching revolutionary forces than starting new universities.”

“The military has no interest in an educated and engaged citizenry, and has implemented a harsh conscription policy to bolster its own increasingly flimsy ranks,” added Nicholas Farrelly, professor and pro vice-chancellor at the University of Tasmania. Earlier this year, leaders introduced rules that mean men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 are obliged to join the military for at least two years.

Academics suggest the pledge is more likely an attempt to paint a picture of a healthily developing nation, rather than a genuine policy, in part because the country does not have the resources for such a project. “Many of the educators who could create new programmes and universities like this have fled,” said Mary Wong, a sociology professor at Azusa Pacific University.

Even if the junta does follow through, it is unlikely to be met with a warm welcome from Myanmar citizens. Not only did the military regularly shut down universities prior to the coup, all universities were closed in the aftermath of the takeover and, since they reopened under the control of the regime, many students have refused to return in a show of protest against the military.

Data published earlier this month shows that 24,243 students were enrolled in universities, compared with 260,173 in 2019-20 before the coup, a decline of 90 per cent.

“Many may feel that no education is better than one that is used as a tool to dominate and oppress its own people,” said Professor Wong.

With such low participation rates, Myanmar’s development is likely to continue suffering. The closures have “stagnated” the education of young people, “leading to a lack of skilled professionals”, said Camille Kandiko Howson, professor of higher education at Imperial College London.

“Continuing to drive the country into the ground, refusing to let universities be open places of scholarship, and suggesting a youth population can support the country through limited education at polytechnics will not drive success in Myanmar,” she said.

helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com