Prior to the colonial period, the rudiments of education consisting of religion, basic literacy, and arithmetic had been provided to male children in Burma and Siam through Buddhist monks that lived in local monasteries. Education commenced when the child reached five or six years of age and usually ended at puberty. Formal learning continued for children whose social standing ensured them of a government position. Social and economic mobility for male peasant children occurred occasionally. After the British conquered Burma, various British acts regarding education were implemented that led to the establishment of a public school system to replace the monastic schools, and education was extended to include female children. In contrast to the Burmese educational system, Siam's King Rama V used the monastic schools for advancing his educational reforms. These reforms included a training school for government officials, increased educational instruction at the monastic schools, government supported provincial schools, and teacher training for the monks. (DJC)