Since Myanmar’s government ratified the Private School Law five years ago, in December 2011, hundreds of private institutions have opened. In the first year alone, as many as 160 private schools across the country were established, and just in the last academic year (2015-2016) approximately 100 private schools in the Yangon Region were registered under the Ministry of Education.
The private schools, which are officially recognised by the Ministry of Education, run the same curriculum as government schools from year 1 to 10, with additional hours of teaching in the areas of English and other co-curricular subjects, including sport and music classes. These equip students with better English proficiency, develop students’ interests and talents, encompass vital 21st century skills and provide a more rounded education.
The private school market caters to students from middle to high income families to help the students acquire high merit in their exams, especially at the school leaving exam, also known as the matriculation exam, with better facilities and more advanced teaching methods.
Two study options are generally available at private schools, in which the students can choose to either study as day students, or at boarding schools where accommodation and meals are provided. The day school tuition fees are around $1000 - 2000 (USD) per annum, whereas the boarding school fees are from $3500 - 5200 (USD) per annum.
After the matriculation exam, taken at the age of 16, the students can progress onto year one of an undergraduate program at a public university in Myanmar or a study foundation program at a private college that offers SQA, HND or ABE qualifications.
Students from well-established and reputable private schools could be a potential audience for UK summer school providers and UK pathway providers for recruitment.