Pyithu Hluttaw Addresses Education, Transport, Power and Health Queries

The third regular session of the Third Pyithu Hluttaw held its sixth-day meeting in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, attend­ed by Speaker U Khin Yi, Deputy Speaker U Maung Maung Ohn, and parliamen­tarians. During the sitting, deputy ministers answered 12 questions spanning basic education, vehicle regula­tions, power grid expansion, and public healthcare infra­structure.

Deputy Minister for Ed­ucation U Nay Myo Hlaing reported that inter-agen­cy surveys have brought 144,384 out-of-school pri­mary and middle school students up to age 15 years and three months back into the formal school system via special placement tests for the 2026-2027 academic year. He noted that age lim­its for non-formal equivalen­cy tests are being relaxed in border and conflict-af­fected regions, where local administrative and medical documentation is accepted in place of lost academic records. Older youths are being directed to continu­ous non-formal equivalency programmes.

Addressing transport concerns, Deputy Minis­ter for Transport U Aung Myaing affirmed that the Road Transport Adminis­tration Department regis­ters only legally imported or locally assembled vehicles with full customs clear­ance and documentation. Because previous amnes­ties covering 6,226 vehicles failed to deter illicit imports, no tax-and-fine registration scheme will be offered for unlicensed vehicles. He add­ed that makeshift motorbike sidecars assembled in local workshops fail road safety standards and pose severe public hazards; consequent­ly, no temporary permits will be granted, nor will the state co-fund three-wheelers un­der a cost-sharing scheme.

On energy, Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy U Aye Kyaw explained that power res­toration to Kyain-Seikkyi town awaits security clear­ance to repair war-damaged transmission lines in Mon and Kayin states. He out­lined ongoing phased up­grades to a 66-kV system covering Pyapon, Bogale, and Mawlamyinegyun, and stated that line extensions for Htantabin Township wards will be submitted for regional funding. Regard­ing a proposed 1,800-2,000 kW small-scale hydropower plant on the Kasan Creek in Nawngmun Township, Kachin State, he noted that although the output exceeds local demand, construction remains suspended due to security and logistical con­straints.

Responding to health­care queries, Deputy Min­ister for Health Dr Aye Tun disclosed that legal proceed­ings have been initiated against Ample Power Com­pany for abandoning the fi­nal stages of a staff hous­ing contract in Thabaung Township, with remaining funds slated for an upcom­ing budget. He stated that Yedashe Township Hospital does not currently require a 50-bed expansion due to an 82 per cent occupancy rate and its proximity to major facilities in Toungoo and Nay Pyi Taw. Land ownership transfers (Form 105/106) are underway to upgrade a sub-rural health centre in Taikkyi and build a new sub-centre in Hmaw­by Township. In Mongyai Township, Mammon Station Hospital has recently been reinforced with three nurs­es and an assistant surgeon transferred from Lashio General Hospital.

Later in the session, the Hluttaw approved for discussion a motion tabled by U Aye Chan of Hline­thaya (East) urging the government to consoli­date domestic banks into stronger, higher-quality fi­nancial institutions. The Bill Committee also presented findings on the Seventh Bill amending both the Amyotha Hluttaw and Region/State Hluttaw Election Laws. The meeting adjourned until 29 September. — MNA/ST

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