Education in Myanmar can leap into the digital age

This week I led a Young Global Leaders learning journey to explore two of the top schools in Yangon and learn about the challenges facing the education system in Myanmar.

After five decades without investment in education, these challenges are numerous, and there is a desperate need to reform the system. It is a deep-rooted issue, and one that has shaped the national psyche for many years. The current education system seems to focus too much on rote learning, at the expense of critical thinking and creativity.

Paradoxically, these challenges actually present the country with a rare opportunity. The sheer scale of the education reforms and capacity building that need to take place mean that Myanmar can effectively start its education reforms from scratch, and avoid making the same mistakes as the Western education system. I believe the key to achieving this is investment in technological learning aids, rather than relying on a traditional “bricks and mortar” education system.

Myanmar has already done a similar thing with its telecommunications infrastructure, bypassing landline telephones and going straight to mobile networks. Now, the same can be done with its education system. Rather than just focusing on building more schools and universities and on training teachers – the impact of which won’t be felt for decades –  Myanmar should invest in bridging the digital divide, creating “schools in the cloud”.

It is vital to involve foreign investors in bringing about these education reforms, and they have a role to play in building up the skills and qualifications of people in Myanmar. Perhaps it could even be a condition that foreign investors in the country contribute to a “digital divide” fund, which would finance national 4G broadband and increase access to technologies such as tablets. These investors could also help provide the professional skills training necessary to bridge this digital divide.

Myanmar has an unparalleled opportunity to reform its education system, bringing it into the digital age. Doing so will give all its young people the chance to reach their full potential.

Author: Lucian Tarnowski is a Young Global Leader and the Founder and CEO of BraveNewTalent

Image: Students are seen participating in a classroom in Myanmar REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun