Phaungdawoo Monastic Education High School

History

Phaung Daw Oo was founded on May 5, 1993 with 10 teachers and 394 students. Principal U Nayaka's main focus was to provide for students from poor families who would not normally be able to attend school. Students of all religions and ethnicities are welcomed at PDO. Although it is a "monastic" school run by Theraveda monks, it offers a complete secular curricula as well as special classes in Buddhism and Pali for novices monks and any secular students who opt to take them. The school's guiding vision is to promote outstanding students who can become future leaders in society and to provide for all students so they can pursue their studies absolutely free of charge (except preschool). In addition to its primary education mission, the school now partners with MEDG (Monastic Education Development Group)and donor organizations to offer many training workshops for teachers and school administrators. Now, Phaung Daw Oo Monastic High School is well-known both in Myanmar and abroad.

Campus

Academic Profile

3.1 Normal

The Normal department is the largest academic section, encompassing all academic topics. In the 2015/2016 academic year, there were 5727 high school students, 1281 middle students, and 841 primary students, respectively. The school employs 192 teachers, most have been trained in the teaching methodologies of CCA, and RWCT (Reading, Writing and Critical Thinking).

3.2 Fast Track

The Fast Track English Language Department (F.T.) began operation in 2002, spearheaded by Principal U Nayaka, who wanted Phaung Daw Oo students to become competitive with international school students as much as possible. This department consists of twelve classes, kindergarten through grade 10, with about 32 - 34 students in each class. Most of the teachers in F.T. were given teacher training in methodologies such as the Child Centered Approach (CCA), Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking (RWCT), classroom management, and instruction in how to create lesson plans. Most of the trainers, some local and some foreign, were experts in teacher education. Students are expected taught all subjects in English, except Myanmar language. Curricula in F.T. are based on government textbooks, combined with other resources such as foreign resources and internet. Each year, every teacher in F.T. must edit his or her lesson plan based on the previous years, focusing only on approaches and methods that are deemed truly effective at improving their students' skills, attitudes, and critical thinking. Classes in music and sport are also available.

3.3 New Teacher Training Centre

The New Teacher Training Centre (NTTC), one of the teaching departments, was founded in 2011 with 10 teachers as a five-year term project that complements the FT program. It is sponsored by Forderverein Myanmar e.V.( a German NGO) The objective of the NTTC is to continue CCA and RWCT teaching methods for students in grade 6 and over, who normally are not taught with these methods. The teachers have been instructed in these methods by senior experts from the British Council.

3.4 Library

The Sutakarmi Library was founded in 2000 as a quiet place where teachers and students can spend their leisure time in study. The primary library donors were Diana and her husband, Graham. The library consists of four rooms: a book room and audio room (downstairs), and a research room and movie room (upstairs), manned by six librarians. The library contains about 20,000 books ranging from general subjects to history, and includes various books donated by both local and foreign donors. Library hours are from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The librarians help participate in the students' education through such activities as story-telling and games. The library has evolved to play an important role in helping students increase their knowledge and research skills, and teachers use the library in activities to increase student literacy.

3.5 Bridging Program

The Dutch NGO, World Child Care, is funding the Bridging Program which supports young adults, most of whom are working and attending distance University (independent study with weekend classes). The local teachers have been given special training and are supplemented by foreign volunteers. The program uses the British Council's Cambridge curricula for three levels of study in English and Sociology. Student level is determine by a standardized placement test and most students are expected to progress through all three levels after which many take the qualification test for the PCP program. Student goals are focused on English language skills that will result in better jobs or IELTS exams to qualify for scholarships to foreign universities or fellowships abroad. There are about 100 students in this program. This program also has computers for students use.

3.5 Pre-College Program (PCP) This program is taught by a combination of foreign teachers and prior graduates teaching a broad "prep school" curricula focusing on critical thinking skills, writing and leadership. At the end of their academic term, students each travel to a village school to participate in "service learning" as an assistant teacher. Many of these students subsequently secure scholarships for short internships, leadership trainings or graduate study abroad. A maximum of 25 students are accepted each year after a competitive exam. This program also has computers for its students.

3.5 Vocational and Technical Training PDO also offers training in carpentry, tailoring and computer skills. Students learn woodworking skills in the shop where much of the school's furniture is made and tailoring in the two large classrooms equipped with sewing machines. Students may also use these machines to make products (longi, book bags, purses) that are sold in the workshop and provide a small income. Student from all programs can access, and many are required to take, courses to develop basic computer skills. There are several modern computer labs and some students have gone on to work with the IT department developing marketable tech support skills.

Administration Profile

4.1 Boy's Dormitory

Being a monastic school, the Boy's Dormitory is a novice dormitory (donated by the German government) which houses over 700 pupils. All of the novices in Phaung Daw Oo come from different families and regions around Myanmar. Most of the novices come from various ethnic groups such as the Palong, the Shan, the PaO, the Wa, the Nega, and the Karen. Most are Plaung and Sha, and the rest Bamar, Wa, PaO, and Nega. They also attend school and have various dreams and goals for a better future. The number of novices is increasing annually, so recently they have faced some difficulties with space and water.

4.2 Girl's Dormitory

The Girl's Dormitory (128 ft. long by 32 ft. wide) was also donated by the German government, and also houses students from other divisions, including 149 teachers. There are 38 rooms housing 73 students, with six rooms for visitors. There are four stairs.

4.3 Golden House

This building was donated by a Mr. Nego from the World Child Care Organization, for children rendered needy and homeless by the 2008 Nargis Cyclone. The principal supports and educates about 150 children and they are cared for by 15 teachers.

4.4 Ethnic Group

There is no donor for this ethnic group. The ethnic house is supported by the principal and they are minority group and only ethnic girls, housing two teachers and 80 students. The principal provides space and water.

4.5 Hostel

The hostel building has two stairs and is for the care of orphans and street children, managed by six teachers who look after almost 52 children.

Vocational Training

5.1 Tailoring Class

With a facility that includes 50 sewing machines and two expert tailors on the teaching staff, this class also operates as a small businesses at Paung Daw Oo, generating income by selling traditional handicrafts and other items to foreigners.

5.2 Carpentry Workshop

The Carpentry Workshop was created in 2003 from funds donated by a Mr.Philippi and a Mr.Jager, of Germany, to train students interested in woodworking. There are six carpenters responsible for making new furniture and repairing old furniture for the school, and they also generate income for the school by serving outside customers.

5.3 Information Technology

The IT Department was opened from 2000–2001 and features 45 computers and seven teachers who give basic computer training to the students on a monthly basis. They are also responsible for all computer repair at the school, and generate revenue for the school by offering computer training to the wider public.

5.4 Physical Plant

The Physical Plant Department is maintained by three staff members who set up and maintain the electric power and water supply for the entire school.

School Clinic

The School Clinic was first opened in 2002 by leading physicians Dr. Khon Kyaw Oo, Dr. Sandimaung, and Dr. Win Thu. Currently, Dr. Myint Khaing Htay manages the clinic and treats patients. The clinic serves both the students as well as members of the surrounding population who do not have access to healthcare.