Over 600 teachers stuck in Kyaukphyu due to junta’s land and water travel blockades 

By Admin 21 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
21 November 2023, Kyaukphyu

Hundreds of educational employees who had taken a B.Ed correspondence course have reportedly been stranded in Kyaukphyu due to the junta’s blockading of land and water routes in Arakan State. 

More than 600 educational employees took the examination on November 13 and concluded the exam on November 17, but have since been unable to return home.

“Nearly half of the teachers face financial difficulties as they stay at guesthouses and hostels and buy food from outside eateries. Almost all teachers calculate the cost in days, so they have difficulties,” said a male teacher from Myebon Township.

Among the strandees are over 400 educators from across Arakan State townships and around 100 from Chin State’s Paletwa Township.

Some teachers from Kyaukphyu and Ramree townships have already returned home with their own plans, but hundreds of educators are facing difficulties returning home.
The teachers have requested that the Department of Education take responsibility for their return.

“Regarding the ability of both the teachers who came to take the exam and the head teachers who proctored the exam to be able to return home, they have submitted to the Department of Education two or three days before the end of the exam. However, it is not yet known exactly when the teachers will return,” said a male teacher from Paletwa Township.

When DMG contacted U Ba Htwee Sein, Arakan State Education Officer, regarding the return of the stranded teachers, he replied that he is negotiating with the concerned departments, but declined to provide a specific date as to when the teachers might return.

“I don’t know if the fighting will get more intense, so I want to ask the relevant officials to allow me to go back to my home and stay with my family as soon as possible,” said a female teacher from Minbya Township.

The Myanmar military has blockaded roads and waterways in the state following renewed fighting this week between the junta and Arakan Army (AA) since November 13.