This academic year, G-12 students at Mon National School, under the New Mon State Party, chose the Mon National Education Committee’s Grade 12 exam over the national university entrance exam, parents said.
At the beginning of the academic year, G-12 students at Mon National School were given the choice to take either the government university entrance exam or the Mon National Education Committee’s Grade-12 exam for further studies.
A student’s parent from Nyi Sar School said fewer students chose to sit the university entrance exam due to the heavier study load and learning difficulties, as well as the opportunity to attend Mon National College through the exam administered by their own education department.
“They only take the Mon National exam, not the government exam. Many students in our village choose this because it is easier to focus on one exam, and they plan to attend Mon National College,” said one parent.
Additionally, at Nyi Sar Mon National High School, students who chose to sit the Mon National Education Committee’s exam are being taught using their own curriculum, sources said.
According to IMNA inquiries, out of 11 G-12 students from the Mon National School in Panga village, Thanbyuzayat Township, nine students chose not to sit the university entrance exam and instead took the exam administered by the Mon National Education Committee.
Students from Weng Sa Paw School in Kyainseikgyi Township and Andin School in Ye Township have also taken the Mon National Education Committee exam, while some students chose to sit both exams.
Meanwhile, a Mon National School teacher said experienced teachers in Ye town have been closely tutoring Grade-12 students since mid-academic year to help improve the university entrance exam pass rate.
“Last year, none of the students passed. Previously, each school prepared independently shortly before the exam. But this year, starting from mid-academic year, experienced teachers from Andin who teach Grade-12 have been taking turns supervising study groups weekly, guiding and explaining lessons. Senior teachers were selected to teach to improve this year’s pass rate,” the teacher said.
In the previous academic year, only six out of 127 students from Mon National Schools who sat the university entrance exam passed.
The military junta’s Ministry of Education announced that this year’s university entrance exam will be held from March 1th to the 17th, while the Mon National Education Committee’s Grade-12 examination was held on February 23rd.
Some higher education experts say that if the Mon National Education Department conducts its own high school exams without relying on the government education system, it could help strengthen the Mon national education system.
