Prices of textbooks, school supplies skyrocket in Arakan State

By Admin 13 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
13 October 2024, Sittwe

The prices of stationery materials including school textbooks in conflict-ravaged Arakan State have increased exponentially due to junta blockades, according to local residents.

Textbooks and stationery are in short supply and prices are skyrocketing due to the junta blockades, which affected Arakan State since fighting between the Myanmar regime and Arakkha Army (AA) flared anew in November 2023.

"Traders find it difficult to import even basic food items. As school textbooks are not imported as much as basic goods, school supplies are expensive and rare in Arakan State," said a local merchant in Mrauk-U.

The prices of school textbooks for Grade 12 students range from K40,000 to K190,000, while textbooks for Grade 5 students cost around K25,000 to K130,000. Basic school supplies are also up significantly in cost, with the price of a pen increasing from about K300 to K2,000.

The AA has seized control of 10 townships in Arakan State, and school systems in these townships have not been able to operate due to the aerial threat posed by regime planes and artillery.

The affected students' parents are worried about the prolonged disruption to their children's education. Some students' parents also said that they could not afford their children's education due to basic food difficulties.

"Having to send a child to school is not easy in this situation. When you are struggling to make ends meet, you cannot pay for your children's books and school fees. It is important for us to feed our children," said the parent of a student in Mrauk-U.

AA-controlled areas are often subjected to airstrikes by the regime, with repercussions for students' mental health and engagement.

"The main challenge we face this year is the lack of interest among students. Due to the dangers of aviation and the difficulties of family sustenance, students are more likely to be unable to concentrate on their studies," said a male teacher in Ponnagyun Township.

Currently, basic education schools in Arakan State are still operating in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Taungup, Ann, Gwa and Manaung townships, which remain under regime control.