On 7 November 2023, the supervisory body within the Ministry of Education (“MOE”) under the State Administration Council (“SAC”), exercising the authority granted by Section 82, subsection (c) of the Private Education Law, issued three directives:
(i) Directive on Registration of Higher Education Schools;
(ii) Directive on Registration of Private Basic Schools Teaching the National Curriculum; and
(iii) Directive on the Registration of Private Schools Teaching the International Curriculum.
These directives apply to all private higher education schools, private basic schools offering the National Curriculum, and private schools providing an International Curriculum.
Application forms for registering private higher education schools, private basic schools offering the National Curriculum, and private schools providing an International Curriculum are available on the MOE website starting 13 November 2023.
The three directives encompass broadly similar provisions, with minor variations. These directives categorize schools and provide detailed specifications for classroom dimensions, including regulations on classroom size, specified provisions for all these schools, and guidelines for teacher/staff appointments. The directives also outline registration requirements, covering necessary information for registration applications, encompassing aspects of the school building and teachers, and specifying adherence points for private higher education schools, private primary schools offering the National Curriculum, and private schools providing an International Curriculum.
Private basic schools following the National Curriculum and private schools offering an International Curriculum are required to pay a registration fee of 5 Million Kyats and an annual registration fee of 6 Million Kyats. Private higher education schools have specific fees based on their type: universities have a 10 Million Kyats registration fee and a 12 Million Kyats annual fee; colleges have an 8 Million Kyats registration fee and a 9 Million Kyats annual fee; and centers have a 2 Million Kyats registration fee and a 2.5 Million Kyats annual fee. Opening a school branch at a different location necessitates separate registration applications for each branch.
Private schools adhering to the National Curriculum, those offering an International Curriculum, and private higher education schools established before issuing the three directives will receive a private school registration certificate upon meeting the stipulated requirements. In cases where criteria are not fully met, a temporary private school registration certificate will be issued, and the school must fulfil the requirements within two years from the date of issuance. A permanent private school registration certificate will be issued upon successful compliance within the two-year timeframe. Failure to meet the criteria will suspend the temporary private school registration certificate. Newly established private schools, whether teaching the national or international curriculum, and private higher education schools are permitted if they satisfy the specified criteria.
