Voting-age students must grasp the essence and value of elections to exercise their right to vote equally among citizens and ensure they do not forfeit this critical democratic opportunity.
A CEREMONY to honour Tatmadaw members from Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), offspring of in-service/war veterans, children of military-substituted civilian service personnel who passed the 2024-25 academic year’s matriculation examination outstandingly, outstanding award students and the students who won prizes in the national-level article, essay, painting, cartoon and mathematics skill contests took place at Zeyathiri Beikman in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
On behalf of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, delivered a speech at the ceremony and presented honorary prizes to the winners.
On behalf of the Senior General, the Vice-Senior General delivered a speech. He said: During their school years, students who diligently fulfilled their educational duties and achieved excellence will be honoured. Outstanding students receiving the “Outstanding Youth Award” will each be awarded a 0.75-tical gold coin. Those who pass the matriculation examination with distinctions in three or more subjects will receive 0.25-tical gold coin per subject. Tatmadaw members who passed with at least one distinction will also be awarded 0.25-tical gold coin per subject. Winners of national-level competitions in article, essay, painting, and cartoon drawing will be awarded accordingly: a 0.75-tical gold coin each for first prize, a 0.5-tical gold coin for second prize, and a 0.25-tical gold coin for third prize.
It was emphasized that in building a democratic nation, it is essential not only to uphold democratic principles but also to ensure high-quality education.
Citizens must have knowledge, wisdom, and critical thinking compatible with democracy.
The subjects of ethics and civic responsibility taught in basic education schools are fundamental to cultivating democratic practices.
Furthermore, students are mostly sons and daughters of serving or retired military personnel, and serving Tatmadaw members who passed the matriculation examination, pursued their studies diligently, becoming outstanding students and soldiers honoured today. They are urged never to forget the gratitude they owe to the Tatmadaw, and in their future endeavours to uphold loyalty, responsibility, accountability, and gratitude.
Elections are the first crucial step towards achieving the democratic nation long expected by the people. Through elections, representatives who can present, debate, and advocate the people’s will in Hluttaw will emerge, and governments will be formed.
Only by holding free, fair, and dignified multi-party democratic elections can Hluttaw, people’s representatives, and democratic governments with integrity come into existence.
In the upcoming general election, arrangements are being made so that all eligible voters, except those legally disqualified, will be able to cast their votes freely. The aim is to ensure a free and fair election, free from malpractice, and to bring forth Hluttaw representatives with integrity.
Students are urged to maintain their good habits and moral values and to continue striving so that one day they will become a new generation capable of making genuine contributions to the country.
Voting-age students are reminded to understand the essence and value of elections, to exercise their right to vote equally with other citizens, and to ensure that they do not lose this important opportunity.
Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Phone Myat reported on matters related to outstanding students, the students and Tatmadaw members who passed the matriculation examination in 2024-25 AY, winners in the national-level competitions and mathematics skill contest, as well as prize-winning Tatmadaw education schools and basic education schools.
At the ceremony, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, presented honorary medals, prizes and certificates to three outstanding youth award winners, one winner in the national-level article and essay contest and three six-distinction winners.
The Vice-Senior General awarded school administrators from Tatmadaw basic education high schools who stood first, second and third pass rate in the examination, two outstanding youth award winners, one winner in the mathematics skill contest and one six-distinction winner.
Daw Than Than Nwe, the wife of Vice-Senior General, also awarded three outstanding youth award winners, one winner in the national-level article and essay contest and three six-distinction winners.
Commission member and Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, presented prizes to principals of Tatmadaw education schools, which stood first, second and third pass rate in 2024-25 AY, three outstanding youth award winners and one six-distinction winner.
The wife of the Prime Minister also gave prizes to four outstanding youth award winners and three six-distinction winners.
Commission member and Executive Chief U Aung Lin Dwe and his wife, Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief, General Ye Win Oo and his wife, commission members, Union ministers and their wives, Union-level dignitaries and their wives, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and his wife, the Commander-in-Chief (Air) and his wife, the CEC Chairman of Myanmar War Veterans Organization, the Adjutant-General and the Quartermaster-General presented prizes to winners respectively.
Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, the wife of the Senior General, the Vice-Senior General and the party had documentary photos taken together with prize winners.
Outstanding students, parents and teachers were served with foodstuffs hosted by the Vice-Senior General and party.
After the ceremony, the Vice-Senior General cordially greeted the prize winners, parents and teachers.
At the ceremony, a total of 20 students who passed the matriculation exam with six distinctions, 46 students with five distinctions, 88 students with four distinctions, one with one distinction, three Tatmadaw BEHSs and three Tatmadaw education schools with high pass rates were honoured with awards. Moreover, a total of 43 outstanding youth award winners, two winners in the national-level competitions and one mathematics skill contest winner were also honoured. Furthermore, relevant military command headquarters honoured 248 students with three distinctions, 238 with two distinctions, 397 with one distinction and 38 university scholarship award winners. — MNA/TTA
