Table 1 Historical evolution of setting...

Table 1

Historical evolution of setting “social studies” in Myanmar's primary curriculum

Age	Subjects set in the curriculum and position of “social studies”
1905-1951 (British colonial era)	<Core Subjects/Compulsory Subjects> English, A Recognized Vernacular, Mathematics, Geography <Additional Subjects/Compulsory Subjects>* Physical Training, Hygiene, History, Needlework (G)**
1952-1965 (Pyi daw tha: education Plan for Welfare State)	<Compulsory Subjects> Burmese, Basic Mathematics, Social Studies (Geography and History), Basic General Science <Additional Subjects> Religious Instruction, Physical Education, Domestic Science (G)**, Agriculture, Handicraft, Art (Drawing and Painting)
1966-1984 (Education reform under the military administration)	Burmese, Basic Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Physical Education and Health, Educational Tasks*** Ethnic Language
1985-1997 New education programme: NEP)	Burmese (Myanmar), English, Mathematics, Geography, History Practical Education Development Tasks***
1998-2015 (Education promotion programme: EPP)	<Core Curriculum> Myanmar, English, Mathematics, Natural Science in General Studies (G1-G3), Geography & History in Social Studies (G4-5) <Co-Curriculum> Moral & Civics and Lifeskills in Social Studies (G4-5), Aesthetic Education (Music and Drawing), Physical Education, School Activities, Agriculture
2016-Present education reform under the democratic administration)	Myanmar, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Morality & Civics, Physical Education, Life Skills, Arts (Visual Art and Performing Art) Local Curriculum****

Age	Subjects set in the curriculum and position of “social studies”
1905-1951 (British colonial era)	<Core Subjects/Compulsory Subjects>English, A Recognized Vernacular, Mathematics, Geography<Additional Subjects/Compulsory Subjects>Physical Training, Hygiene, History, Needlework (G)*
1952-1965 (Pyi daw tha: education Plan for Welfare State)	<Compulsory Subjects>Burmese, Basic Mathematics, Social Studies (Geography and History), Basic General Science<Additional Subjects>Religious Instruction, Physical Education, Domestic Science (G)**, Agriculture, Handicraft, Art (Drawing and Painting)
1966-1984 (Education reform under the military administration)	Burmese, Basic Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Physical Education and Health, Educational Tasks***Ethnic Language
1985-1997New education programme: NEP)	Burmese (Myanmar), English, Mathematics, Geography, HistoryPractical Education Development Tasks***
1998-2015 (Education promotion programme: EPP)	<Core Curriculum>Myanmar, English, Mathematics, Natural Science in General Studies (G1-G3), Geography & History in Social Studies (G4-5)<Co-Curriculum>Moral & Civics and Lifeskills in Social Studies (G4-5), Aesthetic Education (Music and Drawing), Physical Education, School Activities, Agriculture
2016-Presenteducation reform under the democratic administration)	Myanmar, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Morality & Civics, Physical Education, Life Skills, Arts (Visual Art and Performing Art)Local Curriculum****

Note(s): * “A Recognized Vernacular” included Burmese, Tamil, Gujarati, Urdu, Bengali, Hindi, Telugu and Karenic

** (G) means “only for girl students”

*** “Educational Tasks” and “Practical Education Development Tasks” mean a practical training including agricultural work and vocational skills development

**** “Local Curriculum” means subjects developed by local government including ethnic languages, local cultures, local environmentsetc

Source(s): Created by the author with reference to Office of the Education Commissioner (1955), Creation of New Life Education: Curriculum and Syllabus for primary, middle and high schools, U Tan Oo (1999), History of Myanmar Education (Curriculum Sector) 1948-1998, Myanmar Education Research Bureau

[ViewLarge]

Sharing Unavailable