Shanni language teachers are providing assistance with teaching in around 40 villages in the western part of Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region, where there are only a few teachers appointed by the Ministry of Education, according to Shanni literature and culture committees.
While these schools are managing to teach the curriculum, the teachers receive no support or salary from the Ministry of Education, according to reports.
“The number of government-appointed teachers is insufficient. So, we Shanni teachers can’t prioritize teaching our ethnic literature; we have to teach the government curriculum at the same time. They [government teachers] are overwhelmed with responsibilities,” said a Shanni teacher from western Banmauk Township.
The Shan ethnic teachers as well as the teacher assistants in the schools in western Banmauk Township have not received any salary from the Ministry of Education throughout the current academic year, the Shanni teacher added.
“Up to now, we haven’t received a single kyat from the government. There are government-appointed teachers but their number is small. The teacher assistants receive no salary. We don’t even know if there’s a budget,” the teacher added.
The Shanni Literature and Culture Committee reports that the number of Language Teachers (LT) and Teacher Assistants (TA) in government schools in Sagaing Region leaving the positions is rising due to insufficient salaries.
Shanni ethnic youth and Shanni language teachers have been assisting in teaching for nearly three years due to the shortage of teachers in schools.
Accoridng to education circles, the ongoing conflicts in upper Sagaing Region between military junta forces and ethnic armed organizations and local defense forces have resulted in teacher vacancies and school closures, causing tens of thousands of children to lose access to education.
Sent by Shanni Voice.