Date: December 3, 2025
MAGWAY REGION/ONLINE – The Institute for Peace & Social Justice (IPSJ) has successfully completed the third batch of its Local Education Board Workshop Program, a seven-day intensive training initiative designed to strengthen bottom-up governance in Myanmar’s education sector. Held virtually from November 24 to December 2, 2025, the program brought together 27 key education stakeholders from across the Magway Region to help shape a future federal democratic education system.
The workshop, titled “Strengthening Bottom-Up Local Education Boards (LEBs),” focused on equipping local leaders with the tools to manage decentralized education systems, ensuring stability and quality learning even during ongoing conflict.
Empowering Local Governance for a Federal Future
The main goal of the workshop was to connect local educational practices with the broader goals of federal democracy. By empowering local boards, the IPSJ aims to build a strong education system that reflects community needs and prepares for a decentralized national framework.
“Local education boards are not just administrative bodies; they are the foundation of a federal democracy,” said Dr. Thaung Htun, Executive Director of IPSJ and one of the lead trainers. “This workshop provided participants with the knowledge to manage resources fairly, protect students in crisis, and advocate for policies that respect local diversity.”
Comprehensive Curriculum and Strategic Outcomes
The workshop design guided participants through a logical progression from fundamental concepts to practical application.
- Federalism & Education: Participants discussed how education promotes civic awareness and why decentralization is crucial for sharing power, referencing key documents like the Federal Democracy Charter and the ICESCR.
- Board Structure & Design: Sessions focus on creating inclusive boards that include parents, teachers, and community leaders, ensuring decision-making is truly representative.
- Fiscal Responsibility: A key module covered transparent financial management, training participants to draft local budgets and implement anti-corruption measures—an essential skill for resource-limited environments.
- Crisis Management: Recognizing the current instability, the curriculum included training on the “Safe Schools Declaration” and conflict-sensitive planning, such as flexible scheduling and risk mapping.
- Policy Advocacy: The program concluded by drafting recommendations for future federal education policies, demonstrating how grassroots experiences can influence national legislation.
A Diverse Coalition of Educators
The group of 27 participants represented a diverse segment of the Magway education community, including volunteer teachers, learning center facilitators, and township education focal persons. This mix of both young facilitators and experienced practitioners fosters a lively environment for peer learning.
Although focused on one region, the diversity of townships and backgrounds ensured that we captured a wide range of local knowledge, “noted Sein Thinzar Latt, Legal and Human Rights Program Coordinator.” “The collaboration between emerging youth leaders and experienced educators was especially impactful.”
Expert Leadership
A distinguished panel of experts led the workshop:
- Dr. Daisy (PhD, Administrative & Constitutional Law, Yangon University)
- Dr. TaTa (PhD, International Law, Yangon University)
- Dr. Thaung Htun (Executive Director, IPSJ)
Contact:
Legal and Human Rights Program Coordinator
Institute for Peace & Social Justice
Email: [email protected]
About IPSJ– The Institute for Peace and Social Justice (IPSJ) is a Burmese-led, rights-based institution dedicated to advancing federal democracy, inclusive governance, and climate resilience in Myanmar through research, dialogue, and institutional reform.
