THE Myanmar Education Research Department will launch a training course for nursery school teachers on March 21.

The sixth such course to be offered, the 23-day program will be held at the department’s hall in Yangon. Successful candidates will each receive a certificate as a qualified nursery school teacher.

Classes will run from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, and will be taught by 27 teachers from the University of Education and the department.

Among the topics covered will be the nature of nursery school education, the process of development of children’s mental and physical abilities, the establishment of a nursery school, child psychology and activities for child
development.

“People who open nursery schools need to understand the make-up of a child education system that combines international standards and the culture of the Myanmar people,” said U Myint Han, the director-general of the department.

All trainees must attend at least 75 per cent of classes to guarantee their certificates. Fees are yet to be determined.

The Myanmar Education Research Department began providing training for nursery school teachers in May 2002. Since then more than 942 teachers have graduated from its courses.

Since October 2003 the department has also provided workshops or “nursery teachers’ networks” that give graduates a forum to share their work experiences.