Mon State Department of Basic Education has announced that eight state schools in the region have introduced tablets in their classrooms, and that it is looking to expand the programme to include more high schools in the future.

“Here in Mon state, eight schools have each been allocated 99 personal computers,” said Tun Myint Oo, an administrative officer at the regional Department of Basic Education. “Training [for teachers] on how to integrate tablets into classrooms is now underway at one high school in Thanbyuzayat. The tablets will be used in 7th, 8th and 9th grade classrooms. Older students at the matriculation stage will also be given access to the computers in their classes.”

He added: “UNESCO has offered funding to this programme for two years, after which time the Department to Education will continue supporting it.”

Students will be afforded the chance to use the tablets during class lessons, he said, while teachers will have access to them at all times.

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Speaking to DVB yesterday, U Phyu, a headmaster at a primary school in Thaton Township said, “Working on computers will allow students to become more familiar with information technology. In my school, there is no electricity and the sanitation facilities are inadequate. First and foremost, I would like to address these needs. However, I am pleased that some schools will integrate tablets into their curricula.”

One high school in each of Bilin and Thanbyuzayat townships and two schools in Paung, Chaungzon and Kyaikmayaw townships were chosen as pilots for the scheme in Mon State.

Since the programme was initiated in the 2016-17 school year, some 31 schools across Burma have introduced tablets into their classrooms.