"A strong education system has long been seen as the standard pre-requisite of overall national progress for both developed and developing nations. A country populated with educated citizens generally results in economic growth, innovation, public health and often a political system that voices the concerns and needs of its people. To all outward appearances, the SPDC has made legitimate attempts to position itself as a patron of education for all. In reality, this position amounts to little more than an elaborate show performed for an international audience. The disparity between government propaganda and the actual goals of the Burmese education system is striking. The vision of the Ministry of Education is stated to be, ?To create an education system that can generate a learning society capable of facing the challenges of the Knowledge Age.? 1 In October 2008, the state-run New Light of Myanmar ran an editorial emphasizing the importance of teachers providing an all-around developmental experience, stating that teachers should ?train and inculcate the students with knowledge, education and skill as well as with the habit of helping and understanding others and observing ethics and morality.? 2 Despite these lofty pronouncements, the SPDC treats the education system as something to be feared, watching closely as primary school students—when given an opportunity—grow into university students, who have proven to be some of the government?s most vocal protesters and opponents. In light of this culture of paranoia and suspicion, the SPDC has erected multiple barriers to accessing education. In addition to these obstacles, and despite legislation ensuring free and compulsory primary education, attending school is often an extravagance families struggle to afford. According to the United Nations Children?s Fund, while enrolment is high at 80%, less than 55% of enrolled students complete the primary cycle.3 With this high drop-out rate, the number of children left without significant skills increases, leaving them highly vulnerable to various exploitive trades, such as forced labour, forced conscription into the army or the sex trade. An almost complete lack of free speech and expression results in an environment in which rote learning is standard, and critical thinking is highly discouraged. If a student manages to successfully reach the university level, he or she incurs a new level of restrictions from the junta. University students and their teachers are feared most of all; as a group, they represent the future of democracy and freedom to their families and the world. Despite these significant hurdles, the Burmese culture highly values education and parents place great importance on sending their children to school. The struggle for these families is in overcoming the junta?s roadblocks in order to achieve their educational goals..."