The Relationship Between Policy Makers and Policy Actors in Myanmar's Education

• In Event: The Array of Education Policy Actors

Abstract

This study explores features that characterize the relationship between policymakers and policy actors during Myanmar's most recent education reform. I collected in-depth data from two primary sources: Facebook posts and documents. I analyzed about 350 posts from the Facebook group called "The forum where basic education teachers express their feelings" (Translation from Burmese). The analysis revealed that many policy actors perceive themselves as being powerless in the current system. Several issues lead to their perceived powerlessness: top-down management with authoritarian measures, issues related to new curriculum training, lack of support from administrators, oppressing whistleblowers, frequent policy shifts, the negative impact of ineffective teacher management, unsustainable workload, and negative attitudes towards teacher management.

Author

• Thu Ya Aung, Texas State University
  Presenting Author