Pre-service Teacher Trainings

RISE actively supports the development of indigenous teachers through comprehensive pre-service teacher training programs, designed to enhance their professional competencies before they enter the classroom. These programs are offered at various Teacher Preparation Colleges and Teacher Training Colleges, providing a range of training durations from short-term intensive courses to extensive two-year programs that include specialized subject matter training. Our approach focuses on equipping teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and lead educational activities in their communities. By funding stipends and supporting basic needs for teacher trainees, RISE ensures that aspiring educators are well-prepared and motivated. Additionally, our pre-service training materials are reviewed and updated annually to meet local educational needs and align with national standards, ensuring that our teachers are ready to make a significant impact in improving community education from the moment they start their careers.

In-service Teacher Trainings

RISE's Intensive In-Service Summer Vacation Teacher Training (SVT) program plays a crucial role in enhancing teacher professional development over a period of 2 to 4 weeks during the summer break. The program targets community teachers across our operational areas each year, focusing on child-centered pedagogy and subject matter specialization. These training topics are refined through insights gained from observations and feedback during mobile teacher training (MTT) cycles, ensuring relevance and impact. A key component of our strategy, informed by our ongoing assessments, is to bolster early-grade literacy and numeracy through targeted training and coaching. The SVT not only enriches teachers' skills in teaching reading and math concepts but also promotes peer learning and the exchange of best practices. Additionally, the program includes Training of Trainers (ToT) for our mobile teacher trainers and the development of new educational materials that encompass important areas like gender and disability inclusion strategies. This comprehensive approach aims to improve early-grade learning outcomes, supporting our commitment to education excellence.

Teacher Establishing Education Services (TEES)

The Teacher Establishing Education Services (TEES) initiative by RISE aims to provide quality basic education opportunities to children in underserved and remote communities that lack formal schooling. This program focuses on equipping local educators with the necessary resources, training, and support to create sustainable learning environments. By working in close collaboration with parents and community leaders, TEES fosters the development and maintenance of educational services, particularly in areas where schools are nonexistent or offer limited grade levels. Our efforts under this activity include supporting community-based educational expansions to ensure that every child has the opportunity to continue their education. The success of TEES relies on adapting to community-specific needs and integrating educational services seamlessly into local contexts, thereby broadening learning opportunities and addressing educational gaps.

Provision of Stipends to Community Teachers

RISE is committed to enhancing the system for providing stipends to community teachers, ensuring they are fairly compensated and supported. This initiative helps bridge financial and material gaps, improving teacher retention and reducing the need for frequent replacements. By investing in our teachers, we enable them to develop vital classroom skills and better understand the unique learning preferences of their students. Experienced teachers become invaluable resources, offering guidance and support to new cohorts. Despite setbacks from the 2021 coup disrupting collaborative funding plans, RISE has adapted by increasing the number of teachers receiving stipends and adjusting the amounts to accommodate rising living costs. This ensures continuous education delivery, especially to children in target areas, and underscores the importance of education in indigenous communities.

Teaching and Learning Material Support (TLMS)

RISE, in collaboration with our partners, is committed to enhancing children's language learning through the distribution of teaching and learning materials. Our initiative includes the development and distribution of levelled readers and storybooks in both Mother Tongue and Myanmar languages. Additionally, we work on reviewing and improving local curriculum texts to ensure they meet the educational needs of the communities we serve. These materials are provided to schools annually and are integral to our efforts to support teachers in delivering effective classroom instruction. The TLMS program is designed to ensure that educators have the resources they need to foster a conducive learning environment, helping students thrive in their language acquisition and educational journeys.

Education Sensitization Events (ESE)

RISE's Education Sensitization Events (ESE) are designed to promote education priorities and enhance community engagement in rural and remote areas. These events aim to raise awareness among parents, caregivers, and community leaders about the importance of education and the various educational pathways available for out-of-school children, youth, and women. By introducing concepts of Non-Formal Education (NFE) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), ESEs play a critical role in bridging educational gaps. These events provide a platform to discuss the quality, relevance, and language of instruction, helping to build trust and support for Indigenous education services. ESEs also focus on clarifying the roles of teachers, parents, and local leaders in the educational process, while incorporating important discussions on gender equality and inclusion. Activities at these events are varied and interactive, including literacy talks, educational debates, sports events, cultural performances, and competitions, engaging a broad spectrum of the community in meaningful dialogue about the value and impact of education.

Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)

RISE is dedicated to enhancing Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programs in indigenous communities by improving the delivery of services at ECCD centers. This initiative focuses on equipping centers with essential teaching and learning resources that are culturally relevant and meet local educational needs. Our comprehensive approach includes training educators in play-based learning techniques, which promote cognitive, social, and emotional development through interactive and engaging activities. Emphasis is also placed on inclusive practices, preparing teachers to support children from diverse backgrounds and abilities. This program ensures a seamless transition from ECCD to basic education, laying a solid foundation for future academic success. Through targeted resources, professional development, and community-focused advocacy, we empower indigenous communities to provide high-quality, culturally appropriate early learning experiences.

Inclusive Education (IE)

RISE is committed to strengthening Inclusive Education (IE) by providing targeted resources and training designed to support learners with disabilities. Our initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of educators by offering specialized training that equips them with the necessary skills to adapt their teaching methods to the diverse learning needs of students. This ensures a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment. Additionally, schools will be equipped with resources that are tailored to the unique needs of children with disabilities, aligning with their individual educational plans. By integrating professional development with customized educational tools, this initiative fosters an inclusive learning environment where all children, regardless of their abilities, can participate fully and thrive in their educational journeys.

Technical Vocational Education Trainings (TVET)

RISE is dedicated to expanding and enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs for out-of-school children and youth in our target communities. Building upon our past successes, our approach involves close consultations with community leaders to ensure that our training programs are well-suited to local needs. Through our partnerships, including collaborations with experienced organizations, we focus on strengthening the local capacity to deliver effective TVET at the grassroots level. This includes enhancing both the technical skills and administrative capabilities of our partners to ensure that the programs are sustainable and locally driven.

A key aspect of our TVET initiative is the support from dedicated officers who assist in the coordination and management of the program, guiding the recruitment and training processes, and establishing vital linkages with local businesses for internships and job placements. Our program also emphasizes the integration of TVET with real-world business opportunities, facilitating internships and creating clear pathways from training to employment. To further support our graduates, tailored start-up kits and access to small loans and grants are provided to encourage entrepreneurship and enable them to apply their skills in practical business settings. Regular monitoring and evaluations ensure that our TVET activities align with our strategic goals and continue to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

Non-formal Education (NFE)

RISE is committed to enhancing educational opportunities through our Non-formal Education (NFE) programs, designed to address the educational needs of communities, especially in areas of basic literacy and numeracy or remedial and accelerated learning. Our comprehensive support for NFE programs includes providing targeted training for educators and facilitators, equipping them with the skills to design and implement effective and tailored educational programs. The training encompasses pedagogical approaches, curriculum development, and inclusive teaching strategies, enabling instructors to effectively engage learners and cater to a diversity of educational needs.

In addition to robust training programs, we ensure the provision of culturally appropriate and relevant learning materials, available in both physical and digital formats. These resources, including books and workbooks, are carefully selected to reflect local languages and contexts, fostering a stronger connection with the learning process. The activity also covers essential logistical and financial aspects such as materials, transportation for facilitators and learners, and stipends for instructors, ensuring the sustainability and reach of our NFE initiatives. Through these efforts, RISE aims to provide continuous support and resources, enhancing educational outcomes across diverse communities.

Research and Advocacy

Research

RISE's Research initiative is dedicated to informing and shaping national-level education reforms through comprehensive policy research. This effort includes facilitating dialogues and focus groups across various states and regions to analyze existing data and assess the needs within different educational systems. Our approach involves engaging indigenous community leaders and education experts to ensure that their insights are integral to developing a common curriculum framework that accommodates diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Through this initiative, RISE conducts thorough stakeholder consultations and collects data to draft and refine a curriculum development framework that supports inclusive and effective educational practices. Our technical teams lead these processes, supported by external consultants, to ensure that the resulting policies are robust and comprehensive. Additionally, RISE focuses on enhancing the competencies of local educators and leaders in inclusive curriculum development, enabling them to use student performance data effectively to adjust curricula to meet evolving educational needs.

Parallel to these efforts, RISE partners with organizations to conduct research that highlights the educational barriers faced by ethnic children in conflict-affected areas. This research supports inclusive policy dialogue, aiming to improve access and quality in education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Findings from this research are disseminated through various platforms, fostering collaboration and driving innovation in educational practices, ensuring that educational reforms reflect the realities and needs of all communities.

Advocacy

RISE is committed to fostering inclusive education through a comprehensive advocacy strategy that unites ethnic education providers, international NGOs, and UN agencies. Our collaborative approach involves organizing workshops that bring together local and national education actors to create unified messaging and common goals. These efforts aim to advocate effectively for the rights of ethnic children to access quality education across various levels, including non-formal education, basic education, early childhood care and development, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Through these workshops, education leaders are equipped to launch community-led advocacy initiatives and campaigns that highlight the importance of education and regular attendance. These campaigns are designed to integrate into larger education rights movements, enhancing the impact of our advocacy efforts. Additionally, our strategy includes regular sessions to assess and update advocacy priorities, ensuring they remain relevant and responsive to community needs.

RISE also focuses on coordinated federal education advocacy, promoting the inclusion of ethnic education priorities within national education policies. This includes fostering dialogue to strengthen relationships between ethnic education providers and education representatives, advocating for policies that recognize and integrate ethnic education systems within the broader federal framework. Our advocacy activities are designed to create lasting impacts, driving forward the agenda for inclusive and accessible education for all communities.