"In the last sixty years, Burma has experienced several periods of political upheaval, each of which has impacted on the country?s educational system. The first transition in 1948 was from colonial to national education, and the second, following the 1962 military coup, was from national to ?socialist? education. In this paper, I will address these periods of educational change and, anticipating Burma?s eventual transition to democracy, will suggest a plan to decentralize the educational system fr om classroom through to national level. I will draw from my seven years of educational work for displaced Burmese young people along the Thai-Burma border, and from my current re search on education in democracy. I will also discuss strategies for promoting educational reform and strengthening cultural and national identity within the context of a democratic transition in a multi-ethnic society."...