Leo Buscaglia said, “Change is the end result of all true learning”.
In the society that is supposed to need of switching from dark to dawn, education is the must to change the environment, to see the world as well as it is the bridge to liberate from the oppression. Beyond the global pandemic, most of the children in Myanmar have recently faced challenges to walk in their educational path. The weakness in digital literacy education and no electricity in other remote areas have been the main barrier to implement the continuous education. On the other hand, there are still many children who could not buy mobile phones, those who do not afford to buy phone bills and some under-privileged children are from the areas without access to electricity.
Although some youth-led organizations could have implemented free online education for the children who can access internet since covid-19 first wave, all have gone in February. Schools and universities cannot be reopened due to the political instability as well as teachers and educational workers joining CDM. Also, students from basic education level and higher education level took part in civil disobedience movement (CDM), proclaiming “Don’t go to school but Quit school”. Under some influence by the parents and their beliefs, some students have attended the school. With the aim of supporting continuous education for children all around Myanmar, youth-led organizations have been initiated freed online education, using platforms such as Zoom, Google Classroom and Telegram. Zee Kwat Academy is non-profit youth-led organization which has been making educationally positive impacts to the community.
Zee Kwat Brand
A spokesperson form Zee Kwat Academy said, “The aim of organizing Zee Kwat are that children from all layers nationwide could not to gap in education, get free quality education and it is non-profit social enterprise composed of voluntary youths. As the organization focused on education, ‘Zee Kwat’ (according to Myanmar tradition, The owl “Zee Kwat” is the figure of education) has been taken as a brand. Then, it is also the branch of “Thate Pan” (Science) Hub, which has contributed free Basic Computer Science Course to the children in Myanmar along with the objectives of getting knowledge about it.”
About Zee Kwat
Zee Kwat Academy has over 135 youth volunteers, 251 students and 614 parents- community and uses the standardized Myanmar formal education curriculum. Child-centered approach combined with fun and interactive learning is Zee Kwat’s teaching pedagogy. It has also created clubs such as Debate, English, Science and Technology, Music every Saturday. It has opened Grade - 6 and Grade - 7 (Batch 1) and in coming months it is going to start Grade - 4.
Zee Kwat Academy Portfolio
Zee Kwat Academy is a free online academy that teaches standardized school curriculum through effective teaching strategies to help children in Myanmar continue their education in times of crisis.
Vision
To provide accessible learning opportunities for Myanmar students even during times of crisis and an alternative online pathway for quality basic education ready for a global society and higher levels of learning in the future.
Mission
To offer experienced and interactive learning with our carefully-tailored curriculum by utilizing creative learning styles to unlock children’s potential and provide better learning experience.
Summing up, for children without access to education from the remote and under-privileged areas during the spring-revolution period and covid-19, Zee Kwat has been creating an effective and efficient virtual teaching-learning atmosphere. And, as Erasmus said, “The main hope of a nation lies in the proper education of its youth”, it is my deepest suggestion that we, youths, parents, students and teachers should cooperate and participate in performing to construct the continuous quality educational system that all races of children could get (some educators are trying for the children from the urban areas without access to electricity to acquire education.) meanwhile destruction of the process by the military dictators.
References:
Zee Kwat Academy Website