Vox Pop: University students lament pandemic- and coup-induced disruption to studies

By DMG 08 Feb 2022

DMG Newsroom
8 February 2022

Many universities in Myanmar have been closed for almost two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the military coup on February 1, 2021. DMG recently interviewed several students in Arakan State to find out how they have been affected by the extended disruption to their education, and what they have lost.

Ko Khaing Soe Lin || 2nd Year Civil Engineering Student || Technological University (Sittwe)

The Covid-19 pandemic, military coup and political instability in the country have left many students at a disadvantage. Students become frustrated when things do not go as planned. Leaving school without completing school is the biggest hurdle for a student. And as the school breaks get longer, students tend to drift away from school.

There are some students who study online, but not all students can study online. Some students are not able to pursue their education. For students who do not get a degree, it is not easy to get a job. To make matters worse, some students decide to give up their student life when their parents are struggling financially.

Ma Zin Mar Soe || 3rd Year Student Majoring in Physics

It is not convenient to apply for a job because I have not finished school yet. If day students apply for a job before they finish school, they will not be hired. For distance-learning students, it is convenient to apply for a job no matter what. Day students are not comfortable applying for a job if they have not finished school.

What I feel now is that I don’t even want to go to school. But I want the school to open soon. If I can get a job after graduation, I can support my family. It is very frustrating that the schools are not open now and my mind is wandering.

Ko Tun Tun Naing || 3rd Year Distance-Learning Student Majoring in Myanmarsar (Myanmar language)

I’ve gotten older year by year, but I haven’t finished my education. Everyone has dreams and goals. I also have goals for what I will do after graduation. These dreams are delayed due to the closure of the school and the distance from the school. Going back to school is uncertain. These opportunities are being missed for every student.

Schools have been closed since the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to this situation, we did not set our goals and did not finish school. Job opportunities have always been scarce in Arakan State. Many young people over the age of 18, including me, will suffer the consequences of school closures. As a student, I want the schools to reopen.

Ma Thu Thu Tun || 3rd Year Student || University of Computer Studies (Sittwe)

I was not able to go to school, so my time was wasted. I lost my job because I did not finish school. In our case, the goal of what we will do after school goes awry. At the moment, I don’t know what to do because I can’t go to school. If you want to apply for a job, you have to graduate.

Schools are closed, and students are getting older. You feel that your future is lost because of the closure of schools, and the losses are many. Aging is irrevocable. Nowadays, it is more a matter of thinking about what you have to do than whether or not to open a school. It’s a situation where you have to find something to do. You have to think about what to do. Now that the schools are not open, I am more frustrated than depressed.

Ko Zwe Mrat Paing Soe || 2nd Year Student Majoring in Botany

The Covid-19 pandemic is [about two years long] and we don’t know how the coup will last. There is no set time for the school to open. We don’t know how long the Covid-19 epidemic and the military coup will last, so our losses do not affect just one student. It also has an impact on the family behind us.