The Kant Kaw School of
Community Leadership and Social Studies (CLASS)
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The CLASS, a year-long intensive study program, will offer such classes as Leadership and Community Project Management, Civic Education and Social Science with focus on social change, current politics and environment issues. This will enable the students to understand the realities and political background of the problems faced by their communities. It will also provide structured practical service learning program and counseling services to enhance the confidence and skills of young people to enable them to make a positive impact in their communities.
The main aim of CLASS program is to strengthen democratic ideas and values among the youths from different ethnic backgrounds from different states and regions in Myanmar. By building the capacities of those future young leaders, who will be empowered by high quality civic education and service learning program, we also aim to strengthen over 30 of our partner local civil society organizations from all over Myanmar. CLASS program is based on the success of the previous Thabyay intensive University Preparation Program, established in 2010 with the purpose of supporting change makers to enhance their community development skills and access international university education. More than 200 students from diverse ethnic background were provided by education in English language, social science, critical thinking, academic writing, research and communication skills mainly. However, we realized that many of our alumni have a strong commitment to take an active role in local CSOs and also voices from many of the partner organizations all over Myanmar call for education program specifically focused on Community Leadership. With the country opening up and upcoming 2015 elections, to respond to the need for stronger Civil Society and new young leaders we plan to open the 1st batch of approximately 20 CLASS students in January 2015.
The Changing Situation and the Needs New challenges in time of Myanmar transition: Myanmar faces significant political and social changes in recent years. Since the 2011 accession to power by the government of President Thein Sein, a new energy of liberalization have occurred in many aspects of life. The 2015 general election is expected to mark the next major milestone in the transition process. However, Myanmar is at the beginning of change – not at the end. To become just, peaceful and democratic society, there is a critical need for skilled and committed individuals to lead the development of communities as well as key institutions. Also, despite the recent steps towards peace and stability, there are some new threats connected with foreign investments, discrimination, crime, etc.: Unbalanced development/ Lack of personal capacities in marginalized areas: The actual signs of socio-economic development are mainly visible in the former capital Yangon and few other big cities. Other parts of the country – mainly the ethnic states still suffer from long term marginalization and former oppression/armed conflict. Above that, people from rural and ethnic areas suffer from lack of social capital to be able to face these challenges. Young people do not have sufficient knowledge and skills to be able to participate in transition process on local level as national education does not provide any Civic /Citizenship education. Social Studies classes and participatory teaching methods are non-existent there as well. |
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
-------------------------------------------- Kant Kaw Education Center -------------------------------------------- Curriculum Development -------------------------------------------- Scholarship & Student Support -------------------------------------------- Thabyay E-learning Platform -------------------------------------------- Experiential Learning Program -------------------------------------------- 
For more information about CLASS and application process, please contact our program assistant, May Thu Htike:
Email: [email protected] or Tel. 95 1 2304242 Download our new CLASS Brochure here. 
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Religious and ethnic discrimination/ divided society: Local human right groups recently report increased amount of cases of religious discrimination and continuing problem of ethnic discrimination. Myanmar is culturally very diverse country, but there is generally lack of personal experience with “others” as people do not have many opportunities to travel outside their own communities. Increased access to new media and technologies also foster spread of hate speech and violence against certain groups. There is significant lack of media literacy and critical thinking skills as those can hardly be found in national education system.
Many of the above mentioned challenges are directly connected to Myanmar education system that has been neglected over the last decades of successive military regimes. The Kant Kaw Education Center is working towards filling this gap since 2009, when it was established with the purpose of supporting change makers to enhance their community development skills and access international university education. Since May 2010 KKEC provided education in English language, social science, critical thinking, academic writing, and research and communication skills to almost 200 students within its intensive University Preparation Program (UPP). However, we realized that many of the UPP alumni have a strong commitment to contribute back to their communities and also voices from many of the partner organizations all over Myanmar call for education program focused on Community Leadership.
A Response from Thabyay Education Foundation
To respond to these current needs, the new CLASS model will offer such classes as Leadership and Community Project Management and Social Science with focus on Social Change, current politics and environment issues. It will also provide structured service learning program and counseling services to enhance the confidence and skills of young people to enable them to make a positive impact in their communities.
We believe in a multicultural classroom as a foundation of peaceful and inclusive society. Thanks to the KKEC wide network and partnership with many organizations/CBOs around Myanmar, we are able to bring together young people from most of the ethnic and religious groups and all regions and ethnic states. We will not only support but actively encourage participation of young people from conflict areas, IDP communities and refugee camps to join our CLASS program.
We are committed to contribute to positive change of the country through enhancing the social capital of young generation. This means building up the democracy from below – bringing behavioral change, values, attitudes and skills for young people to function as active citizens in just, peaceful and inclusive society. Promoting peaceful dialog between young generation and inter-ethnic/religious/cultural tolerance should support future peaceful conflict resolutions.
Many of the above mentioned challenges are directly connected to Myanmar education system that has been neglected over the last decades of successive military regimes. The Kant Kaw Education Center is working towards filling this gap since 2009, when it was established with the purpose of supporting change makers to enhance their community development skills and access international university education. Since May 2010 KKEC provided education in English language, social science, critical thinking, academic writing, and research and communication skills to almost 200 students within its intensive University Preparation Program (UPP). However, we realized that many of the UPP alumni have a strong commitment to contribute back to their communities and also voices from many of the partner organizations all over Myanmar call for education program focused on Community Leadership.
A Response from Thabyay Education Foundation
To respond to these current needs, the new CLASS model will offer such classes as Leadership and Community Project Management and Social Science with focus on Social Change, current politics and environment issues. It will also provide structured service learning program and counseling services to enhance the confidence and skills of young people to enable them to make a positive impact in their communities.
We believe in a multicultural classroom as a foundation of peaceful and inclusive society. Thanks to the KKEC wide network and partnership with many organizations/CBOs around Myanmar, we are able to bring together young people from most of the ethnic and religious groups and all regions and ethnic states. We will not only support but actively encourage participation of young people from conflict areas, IDP communities and refugee camps to join our CLASS program.
We are committed to contribute to positive change of the country through enhancing the social capital of young generation. This means building up the democracy from below – bringing behavioral change, values, attitudes and skills for young people to function as active citizens in just, peaceful and inclusive society. Promoting peaceful dialog between young generation and inter-ethnic/religious/cultural tolerance should support future peaceful conflict resolutions.
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