September 8th, 2022
Nearly 50 government schools in three townships of Arakan State are temporarily closed due to the ongoing military tension and renewed fighting between Myanmar army and the Arakan Army (AA), according to the sources.
The number of temporarily-closed schools is: around 38 schools in Maungdaw Township, around 10 schools in Rathedaung Township and three schools in MraukU Township.
Around 28 schools in Tarain, Mingalarnyunt, Sinthaypyin, Kyeinchaung, Wailartaung, Meetike, Myawaddy, Maungkhamaung, Watkyein and Yanaungpyin villages in northern Maungdaw, are temporarily closed, according to those close to the education department in Maungdaw Township.
A staff from Maungdaw Township Education Officer said: “The office has told the displaced students to pursue their education at nearby schools. We have made an arrangement for the students who are taking shelter in the villages next to Maungdaw 4th mile to attend the school at BEHS (4th mile).”
There are nearly 200 displaced students in Maungdaw Township. They are taking shelter at the 3rd mile philanthropic monastic school near Maungdaw, Aung Bala monastery, Sasanabeikman monastery and their relative houses.
Around 10 schools in Mawrawaddy, Nyaungchaung, Khayaymyaing, Kaigyi, Nyaungbingyi and Thawinchaungkhawasone villages are temporarily closed as the military has closed the roads in southern Maungdaw, said a staff from the Office of Township Education Officer.
“Some students in the villages of southern Maungdaw are attending the school. The parents from three schools do not send their children as they are afraid. Teachers are present at the schools. Teachers have to pass the gates as they come from Maungdaw. Teachers return to their homes as they are not allowed to go,” he adds.
Among 38 temporarily-closed schools in Maungdaw Township are: two high schools, one high school (branch), one high school (branch), one middle school, four middle schools, 15 post-primary schools, 11 primary schools and four primary schools (branch).
Due to the clash between the Myanmar army and the AA in the last week of August and artillery shelling, around ten schools in Yetkhonetaing, Thamihla, Yaymyat, Kalarchaung, Nyaungpinhla, Bawdikone, Kyaukyantharzi, Maungphyu, Donepike and Koetankauk villages are temporarily closed.
A member of the social organization in Rathedaung Township said: “The government (military council) has not closed the school officially. Children cannot attend the school as they have to flee to safer places along with their parents. Teachers also flee as students and parents are not present in the village.”
About the shutdown of schools in Rathedaung Township Education officer U Tun Shwe said: “The school heads do not report to me about the shutdown. Now I am in Nay Pyi Taw.
Due to the fighting between the Myanmar army and the AA and the Myanmar army’s indiscriminate artillery shooting near Letkar village in MraukU Township in August, locals from Kinseik, Letkar, Waitharli and KaLaKa have fled to safer places.
Currently, locals from some villages have returned to their villages. Schools are temporarily closed as locals from Letkar, Kineseik and Chaungnar villages are unable to return to their villages, a local from Kinseik village.
Artillery shells fired by the Myanmar army killed three innocent civilians and injured eights in Kinseik village in MraukU Township on August 28th.
The total number of the IDPs displaced by the current fighting in Maungdaw, Rathedaung, MraukU and Paletwa Townships has exceeded 6,600. The number of IDPs is increasing day by day.
During this year, intense fighting has resumed between the military and the AA in Arakan State. Tension continues to mount till now.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)