Arakan State’s junta-led Education Department threatens legal action against absent teachers

By DMG 02 Jun 2022

DMG Newsroom
2 June 2022, Sittwe 

The Arakan State Education Office under Myanmar’s military regime has said it will take action against teachers who failed to show up at schools on June 2 under the Civil Service Personnel Law. 

Basic education schools opened on Thursday across the country. The majority of personnel have arrived at schools, said deputy director Dr. Tun Tun Thein of the state education office, adding that action would be taken against those who had failed to show. 

“All the teachers are expected to be back at their schools on June 2, when schools open. Only a few teachers have joined the civil disobedience movement in Arakan State. The vacancies left by five striking teachers have already been filled,” he said. 

“Action will be taken against those who failed to report on June 2,” he added. 

While a majority of teachers have arrived at schools, the exact number is still unknown.  

“If they failed to show up by June 2, they will have to pay back all the salaries they have withdrawn in summer holidays. And their absence will be treated as unpaid leave, and action will also be taken under the Civil Service Personnel Law,” said Dr. Tun Tun Thein. 

A teacher from Thandwe Township said the department should relax some rules because teachers assigned to schools in remote areas might not have been able to reach their schools by June 2. 

“It takes more than one day to go to some villages. And it is also probable that they might be sick. Such cases should be tolerated. For example, the department can ask for a medical record if a teacher says she is late because of sickness,” the teacher told DMG. 

Enrollment at Myanmar public schools under the military regime took place from May 26 to June 1.