The 2019 matriculation exam results for Grade 10 were released across the nation on Sunday morning (June 8, 2019). Of the 114 Mon National School students who took the exam, only 9.69 percent passed. The pass rate decreased by over 50 percent from last year, where 21 percent of MNEC students passed.

“This year, the result dropped. This is because we did not have a large enough budget to hire teachers. The classes were conducted with self-help and support. Since we could not provide the salaries for the teachers of the [Mon] high schools, they left the schools to open tuition classes [private classes] in the towns. They teach as guides. As we could not hire teachers, the [grade 10] students who passed in previous years taught the classes instead,” said Sayar Min Aung Zay, program coordinator of Mon National Education Committee (MNEC).

Of the students who passed, one was from Mon National High School – Andin, six were from Mon National High School – NyiSar, near the headquarter of New Mon State Party (NMSP), and four were from Mon National High School – Winkkabar, in Kyarinnseikkyi Township.

“In terms of how we can prepare in order to prevent the results from decreasing, it’s necessary to provide the teachers with as much training as possible on respective subjects. After having the trainings on teaching, they will then be able to teach. They will also be able to teach effectively. It is also necessary to have more night study sessions,” continued Sayar Min Aung Zay.

The Mon national schools were opened in 1996 and students have been allowed to take the exams at the government [state] schools. Thus far, 400 students in the program have passed high school.

Looking at the entire country, Mon State had the highest percentage of students who passed the exam with 37.54 percent. Manadalay was second with 36.13 percent, followed by Sagaing with 34.15 percent.