One of Arakan State’s largest monastic schools in need of financial assistance

By DMG 29 Jun 2022

DMG Newsroom
29 June 2022, Thandwe

The Palay Yadanar monastic education school in Arakan State’s Thandwe Township is in need of financial assistance as the number of students increased by about 200 this year, according to school officials.

Last year, the number of students enrolled was 1,200, but this year it has risen to 1,400, said the abbot of the Palay Yadanar monastic education school.

“I have to spend about K10 million to purchase rice alone. We are facing financial difficulties as the number of students at the monastic school is increasing. We need the donors,” the abbot added.

Out of more than 1,400 students at the monastic school this academic year, about 800 are boarding at the school, where they are fed with alms from the local community and some donors’ contributions.

This year, not only students from Arakan State but also students from Paletwa, Chin State, Taunggyi in Shan State and Ayeyarwady Region are studying at the monastic school, and teaching aid materials are in short supply, said U Aye Win, principal of the monastic school.

There are also problems securing adequate food, shelter and classrooms at the school due to the increase in student enrolment, he added.

The school has had to buy about 300 bags of rice to feed the students, and relies on contributions and the abbot’s own funds, according to school officials.

“Students from various parts of Arakan and other parts of the country are also attending the school,” said Ma Mi Mi Khaing, a resident of Thandwe. “The school’s expenses are on the rise due to skyrocketing commodity prices. I would like to ask donors at home and abroad to contribute necessary items to the school.”

The Palay Yadana monastic education school is the fourth-largest school of its kind in Myanmar, and has been open for more than a decade.

A total of 333 students from the school took the matriculation examination in the 2020-21 academic year, with 162 passing the test. Dozens passed with distinction, according to school officials.