21 April
“Cooperation of the Civil Service and Public Creates a Nation”.
The motto of the Union Civil Service Board (UCSB) reflects the importance of skilled and dedicated administration sector for a great nation. The UCSB have selected and trained civil servants as well as reinvented laws, rules and procedures in regards to the service commission. The media team has a chance to meet with officials working for the UCSB to discuss about the board’s third year in the incumbent government.
Dr. Win Thein
Chairman, UCSB
The role of Civil Servant is the functional body responsible for carrying on the administration of the country. Among our tasks, the conducting for the recruitment and selection for officials to be appointed, conducting training and educational programmes aimed at capacity enhancement of civil service personnel are the focus areas of the UCSB. It is the task of Civil Services to implement the reformation of the State and to work out the policies of the government as well as to assist the formulation of the Government’s policy.
Our service board has introduced new examination methods including Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) Type and Screening Test based on Civil Service Motivation for the candidates. We are also introducing to test for motivation and critical thinking skills with interviews. Of course, we will continue to test for subject questions on Myanmar, English and other general knowledge.
There is an initial screening test for candidates to look for applicants who have the potential and heart to carry out the duties of the civil servant. For successful applicants on this round, the second tests consist of a written test.
In 2018, there were a total of 9900 applicants for the 1501 positions available in 13 ministries. For Ministry of Health and Sports, we opt for interviews with applicants versus a written test. Last year, we filled up 1145 positions for the 2150 that were vacant.
The UCSB is also reviewing of our training approach to redefine our training and capacity building paradigm. As we all know – the civil service training and capacity development require an uplift to meet international standards so as to become more effective and responsive to the needs of our staff. The European Union GOPA group is helping us with the draft with their consultants and technical experts to adopt the best practices for the Myanmar government. UCSB is also trying to shorten training times and making them more efficient instead cutting some programs in half. Assessment programs are getting reorganized as well. For central management positions, we are doing Leadership Assessment, Active Participation, Discipline & Morale Study Assessment instead of the usual ranking system. The middle management positions and trainings are also being accessed using Study Assessment, Mutual Assessment, and Discipline & Morale Assessments. Lastly for the clerks, we are focusing to test on examination performance, Mutual Assessment, Discipline and Morale Work Related Skills.
Charging Forward
For the training program to be success, it needs competent and skilled instructors for the variety of programs available. Under the Civil Service Academy, there is A Civil Services Academy —CSA (1) based on Education and Competency Training Approach. We are conducting the Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (PGDPA), Post Graduate Diploma in Civil Service Management (PGDCSM), English Language Training (ELT), Master in Public Administration (MPA), Human Resource (HR) Development classes and Blended e-Learning Lecture. We have formed Technical Working Group (TWG) and Training Needs Analysis (TNA) Task Force which can supervise necessary curriculum and syllabus with the help of expertise from Ministry for Educations, EU (GOPA) and other experts from abroad.
For USBC’s capacity development, USBC is sending out instructors for scholarships abroad as well as giving training to resident teachers to develop their own performance and expand their horizons. In 2018, the Central Institute of Civil Service have trained 7562 civil servants from nine different programs. We also recently got accepted to the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration-IASIA with our government’s approval.
Regarding applications, we are trying to set up an online application system and also upgrade the physical, mental and other general knowledge tests for applicants. There is also an international conference planned in 2020 that aims to bring experts not only from local institutions but international organizations as well. Forums for ASEAN Public Service Motivation to encourage civil service personnel in serving the government is scheduled as well in 2019.
The Civil Services Personnel Law was drafted and is now at the Union Attorney General’s office for review. A Public Perception Survey of Government Services (PPSoGS) to gauge out public sentiments on government services started its survey March 2019 with the help of UNDP and aims to collect data from up to 2520 households.
U Kyaw Kyaw
Deputy Director General, Department of Internal Revenue
I’ve attended batch no.5 of the training program for deputy civil leaders in Central Institute of Civil Service in Upper Myanmar. It was an 8 week course from July 16th till September 7th, 2018. The lectures were given by university lecturers with guest speaks from various Myanmar departments like the Central Bank of Myanmar, Anti-Corruption Commission of Myanmar, Ministry of Border Affairs, Attorney General’s Office and Parliament representatives. The speakers presented about their respective departments which was very helpful glimpse of the departments. For example, the Attorney General’s office presented about the various laws and procedures that the union have passed, what has changed and the process of reviewing laws.
U Aung Kyaw Moe
Deputy Director General, Department of Social Welfare
I also attend the Central Institute of Civil Service in Upper Myanmar in the same batch as U Kyaw Kyaw. The courses were very knowledgeable and diversified – it allowed me to be more aware of all the other processes the other union departments/ministries are working on as well as the international procedures in administration. The teaching methods are balance between lectures (both by the university instructors and guest lectures) and discussion along with individual projects. Everybody is pretty supportive of other students as well. There was a great sense of comradeship amongst the students.
U Yan Naing Soe
Assistant Director, Department of Information Technology and Cyber Security
I was enrolled in the Central Institute from March 12 until August 4th, 2018. My program consists of 7 subjects which also separated into their own categories. The classes are divided to reflect the diversity of Myanmar with students from all across the country regardless of age and gender. There was actually a student who was 60. The differences really helped spark discussion and also allows us to see a different perspective. We also got a lot of questions that we would’ve never expected so it was a fresh change of thought, allowing us to broaden our horizons in thinking.
U Aung Myint Thu
Staff Officer, Directorate of Telecommunications
I attended the Post Graduate Diploma in Civil Service Management (PGDCSM) in Upper Myanmar. The program was really beneficial for me, especially when I joined the workforce. A lot of the knowledge I learned can be applied in the workplace. Of course, some of them aren’t really practical but learning the theories allowed me to see the whole picture. The program itself was also open to suggestions from students which is great. This means, the programs listens to its students, monitors the feedback and strive to be better.
Translated by Myat Thu
By KK, Photo: Aye Than
