Parents worry about sending children to school as virus spreads in Arakan State

By DMG 26 Jun 2021

DMG Newsroom
26 June 2021, Sittwe

As more and more cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Arakan State, parents are worried about their children’s health, according to students’ parents.

The parents say most of the schools currently open do not have strict restrictions on wearing masks or face shields, and often students have to sit close to each other.

“At the school where my daughter is attending, there are children who wear masks and some who do not. She also said that there were four students sitting on a bench. We are even worried about sending our child to school,” said U Aung Kyi Moe, the father of a student in the Arakan State capital Sittwe.

A schoolteacher in Thandwe Township, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a fellow teacher had been infected with Covid-19 and parents in their village were thus confused about sending their children to school.

A ward administrator in Thandwe said no instructions had yet been given on whether to close Kywel Thauk Kone middle school, where a teacher tested positive for the virus on June 24.

“The school is open. There are children who go to school and children who do not. The instructions have not yet been given whether the school will be closed or left open. We will know after it is decided at a meeting tomorrow,” he said.

Although the number of Covid-19 cases in Arakan State is increasing, it is not yet possible to say whether schools will be closed or not due to a lack of instructions from the head office, said U Tin Thein, Arakan State education officer, referring to the Department of Education in Naypyidaw.

“Recently, a meeting was held with the state-level Covid-19 control committee to discuss the issue. Schools have been instructed to put students 4 feet apart, wash their hands and wear masks,” he explained.

As of June 26, some 100 cases of Covid-19 had been reported in Arakan State, said Dr. Soe Win Paing, deputy director of the state’s Department of Public Health.

“Covid-19 is spreading in Arakan State. It is not known where the virus is present or not. In 2020, the virus had spread to all 17 townships in Arakan State. Therefore, Covid-19 may be present in our environment,” he added.

Dr. Soe Win Paing warned people against large gatherings, and urged the public not to leave their homes unnecessarily; to remain at least 6 feet apart from those outside of one’s household; and to wear masks when going out is unavoidable.