Distance learners stay at monasteries as cost of living rises 

By DMG 14 Jun 2022

DMG Newsroom
14 June 2022, Sittwe 

High costs of living have forced some distance learners that come from other parts of Arakan State to study at Sittwe University to stay at monasteries. 

Distance learners have to undertake intensive study at relevant universities before the exam. 

Food prices, tuition fees and hostel rent have increased compared with previous years, said university students. Meanwhile, they have to spend more on transport costs because of high fuel prices. 

Hostel rent has doubled from K30,000 to K60,000 this year, forcing university students from low-income families to stay at monasteries, said final year Burmese literature student Ko Win Naing Lin, who is staying at Seitta Thukha Monastery. 

“I stay at the monastery to save money. As I come from outside Sittwe, I have to tighten my belt,” he said. 

Meanwhile, tuition fees have increased steadily from K75,000 in 2018 to K85,000 in 2019, and K98,000 in 2022. Some students can’t afford tuition. 

Ko Kyaw Myo Tun, a Burmese literature student who is also staying at a monastery said: “Though we stay at the monastery, we eat outside. Last year, a decent meal cost only K1,500. But this year, a meal costs at least K2,000 to K2,500. As the prices of fuel have also increased, the expenses total nearly K10,000 a day including transportation costs.” 

Ma Khin Htay, a student who stays at a private hostel, said the hostel that also provides meals only charged K70,000 per month for meals last year, but this year, the hostel charges K100,000 per month. 

“When I stayed 45 days in Sittwe for the third-year exam, K400,000 was enough. But this year, I think it will cost me at least K600,000 because of increased food prices. Everyone, including students, are experiencing hardships this year. 

The costs of living have increased steadily since the coup last year. 

There are 3,491 distance learners at Sittwe University in the 2022 academic year, according to the university’s department of distance learning.