More than 1,000 teachers who attended the GRADE-9 capacity building training course in Sittwe of Arakan State are facing difficulties in returning home due to the military council’s travel ban.
After the completion of a three-day training course from 10 to 12 November, the military council has closed all entries and exits to towns and all the routes.
“Teachers from remote areas were unable to return home as the training course ended at around 3 pm. Only those from nearby regions and those who have urgent matters returned home. The remaining teachers are unable to go home due to the road closures,” a middle school teacher from MraukU Township said.
More than 1,000 teachers trapped in Sittwe covers more than 300 from MraukU Township, more than 200 from Kyauktaw Township, more than 200 from Rathedaung Township, more than 350 from Maungdaw Township, more than 100 from Buthidaung Township and the teachers from other townships.
Daw Hnin Nwe, a middle school teacher from Maungdaw said: “We did not bring too much money as we came here to attend the short course. Since yesterday, the cost of meals has also gone up. A meal costs about 6,000 Kyats. Now I don’t know how long I will have to stay here.”
More than 60 teachers from Myebon and Minbya Townships, who left Sittwe on the morning of 13 November before the travel ban, are temporarily taking shelter at Yadanamanaung Dhammayeiktha in MraukU.
“We left Sittwe by car early in the morning and got trapped in MraukU. I still haven’t returned today as the exit gate is closed,” a middle school teacher from Myebon Township, who is one of the stranded teachers said.
Arakan State Education Officer U Ba Htwee Sein was phoned to seek the comment about this problem, but he did not answer the phone.
A female teacher from Maungdaw Township said: “The education department should arrange the route for staff with the recommendation or other means. Even if we go home on our own, if something happens on the way, we will suffer the consequences.”
On 26 November, 2022, the military council and the Arakan Army (AA) reached an informal ceasefire in Arakan State. Fighting resumed on 13 November this year.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)
