Human Resource Development in the
Myanmar Education Sector:
Historical Background
The wealth of natural resources, favourable weather conditions and human resource had enabled the development of city-states such as Tagaung, Vishnu, Srikhetra, Hanlin, Vesali and Suvannabhumi in Myanmar. After the establishment of city-states came the founding of Empires. The fIrst Myanmar Empire with Bagan as its centre was founded by King Anawrahta and it lasted for nearly three hundred years.
The First Myanmar Empire
The Bagan Era began long before the reign of King Anawrahta (AD 1044-1077) but it was only during his rule that unity was achieved in Myanmar. Anwarahta, the founder of the fIrst Myanmar Empire, strove to make Pagan the centre of Theravada Buddhism, and a place to nurture skilled artists, craftsmen, architects, and sculptors.
The superb training provided to the human resource of that era is testified by the numerous reservoirs, irrigation canals, and pagodas built during that period.
The Second Myanmar Empire
The second Myanmar Empire was established in the 16th century during the reigns of King Tabinshwehti and King Bayintnaung. Bayintnaung was one of the kings who encouraged human resource development. Bayintnaung was not only able to unite Myanmar but he was also able to establish the most extensive Myanmar empire in Myanmar history. He gave strong support to literature, music, culture and the growth of Theravada Buddhism. Visiting foreigners recorded the grandeur, riches and military might of the Hanthawaddy capital of Bayintnaung.
The Third Myanmar Empire
King Alaungphaya who began his reign in 1752 made Shwebo his base to establish the third Myanmar Empire. He valued human resource development and strove for the spread of Buddhism and education.
Education during the Era of Myanmar Kings
Education is the foundation of human resource development and the best investment that a nation can make. Myanmar has been a highly civilized nation for
over two thousand years, and since those early days, it has been well aware of
the role of human resource development.
Since education has been given top priority from the time of King
Anawaratha during the Bagan era, conditions in Myanmar are extremely favourable
for the development of education. Monastic education plays an important role in
promoting basic literacy. The aims of monastic education are to promote religion
and culture. However, as social life is intertwined with religion, it also acts
as a preparation for life. Monastic education is thus inseparable from the
people of Myanmar.
