Over 1,200 students at Paletwa, Samee IDP camps in need of classrooms

By Hnin Nwe 12 Jun 2020

Hnin Nwe | DMG
12 June, Paletwa 

More than 1,200 students at IDP camps in the Chin State towns of Paletwa and Samee are in need of classrooms, according to people providing aid for the displaced. 

Residents of 33 villages have been sheltering at schools and religious buildings in Paletwa and Samee towns, as well as at other villages, after fleeing their homes due to conflict. 

With the new academic year set to begin next month, many IDPs currently living inside schools have nowhere to go. On top of that, more than 1,200 IDP students are in need of classrooms to pursue their education, said Salai Kyaw Aung, secretary of the committee for providing aid to IDPs in Paletwa town. 

“There is no room for IDP students in the school the IDPs are taking shelter in. More classrooms must be built for IDP students,” he said. 

Teachers from the area communicated the needs of IDP students to the township administrator early this month, but have received no response so far, said U Saw Wai Tun, a teacher in Thanchaung village. 

“We also requested to open up transportation between Kyauktaw and Paletwa because we are worried about the inconvenience of bringing school-related items as the Tatmadaw blocked the road. But the administration hasn’t said anything,” he said. 

If the government fails to meet these needs in time, IDP students will lose a chance to pursue their education this academic year, he warned. 

U Soe Htet, a spokesperson for the Chin State government, said the administration was planning to teach two batches of students per school day due to insufficient classroom space. He added that donor money and subsidies from the government would be spent to construct new classrooms. 

“It is necessary to build two new school buildings. But we cannot start it because of blocked transportation. Enough school furniture will also be required for all students now. So, arranging for two batches a day is a suitable approach at the moment,” he said. 

Currently, aid can be provided directly to Samee because the road between Matupi and Samee is open, but the Tatmadaw blocked the roads between Paletwa and Samee, and Paletwa and Kyauktaw, so donors cannot reach Paletwa, residents said.

The number of IDPs due to clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army in Paletwa Township has surpassed 7,000, many of whom are in need of food, medicines and other basic provisions.