The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), in partnership with the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (DTVET), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST)- Myanmar was able to successfully organize an in-country program on “Developing a Modern TVET Curriculum” to Myanmar participants from May 30-June 3, 2022. The program was attended by 30 participants from the country’s TVET sector and was conducted online through Zoom.
The rationale for the program’s implementation was to lay the foundations for the mutual recognition of formal and informal learning, which will eventually lead to the free flow of skilled labor within the region.In addition, the program aims to address the challenges in Myanmar’s TVET system through strengthening a new breed of curriculum developers to address the mentioned needs, trends, and issues.
The program was supervised by Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General and Dr. Pyae Kyaw Thu, Director and Head of Curriculum Development Section, DTVET. Dr. Ligaya Dumaoang, an International TVET Curriculum Specialist, coordinated the program and provided the main resource materials. Local coordination and logistics was facilitated by Dr. Maw Maw Tun, Deputy Director of the Curriculum Development Section, DTVET,
In addition, Prof. Benjamin G. Quito, PhD., a faculty in the Bachelor of Business Administration of the International Business Management Program at the Conestoga College in Ontario, Canada and currently a Curriculum Guide for the courses on Management and Leadership, served as an additional resource person. Meanwhile, Mr. Aw Aw Kyaw, the Vice-Principal of Government Technological College in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, provided the local context as a local resource person.
The program was able to provide an overview of the TVET system in Myanmar and an understanding of the basics of competency-based training. In addition, it was able to identify priority occupations and competencies. The participants were also tasked to design CBT programs and develop a curriculum framework. Lastly, they were able to craft a DACUM chart and include these documents on a draft curriculum framework for possible implementation.
The opening ceremony, held on May 30, 2022, was graced by notable officials namely the Director General of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) of the Government of Myanmar, Dr. Sai Kyaw Naing Oo. His speech emphasized the importance of these programs to the development of TVET in the country and encouraged the participants to do their best in the program. Meanwhile, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Myanmar in the Philippines, H.E. Aung Kyaw Oo, appreciated the fruitful cooperation between Myanmar and CPSC. He also wished the participants the best of luck in their endeavors and looks forward to the future activities of CPSC in Myanmar.
The closing ceremony, meanwhile, was held on June 3, 2022 and was attended by DTVET and MoST officials such as Dr. Maw Maw Tun and Mr. Aw Aw Kyaw. The participants and officials are unanimous in saying that the program is relevant and timely in addressing the pressing issues of TVET implementation in the country, particularly on curriculum development.
Dr. Pyae Kyaw Thu, Director of Curriculum Development of DTVET, presenting the Myanmar TVET system overview.
Dr Ligaya Dumaoang, Program Coordinator and Resource Person, addressing the query of the participant during the open forum.
Group picture during the closing ceremony
