Public schools struggle to hold mid-term exams in Arakan due to armed conflict

By Admin 15 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
15 December 2023, Sittwe

Many basic education schools in Arakan State can’t hold mid-term examinations as the ongoing fighting has forced closures of many schools.

The mid-term exam is due to begin on December 18.

About 1,200 basic education schools have been closed in Sittwe, Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Maungdaw, Minbya, Myebon and Ann townships due to fighting.

A high school teacher from Ponnagyun Township said: “It is impossible to organise December mid-term exams in most townships. Teachers can’t go to schools due to travel restrictions. In some villages where teachers are native, they are planning to organise mid-term exams. But, it won’t be possible for every school to hold the exam.”

Some private schools, however, plan to hold the mid-term exam online.

The Arakan State education office has instructed that all the basic education schools in Arakan State remain open, but teachers and students in some townships have been forced to evacuate due to fighting and other military activities.

According to the Arakan State education office, a total of 534,700 students are studying at basic education schools in Arakan State in the current academic year. DMG’s calls to ask Arakan State education office chief U Ba Htwee Sein about the mid-term exams went unanswered.

A middle schooler from Pauktaw Township said: “Given the current military situation, it is not sure if we will hold end-of-year exams and matriculation exams. If there is no stability and the blockade is not lifted, who will guarantee security for holding the exam?”

The Department of Myanmar Examinations announced on Friday that the matriculation exam will be held from March 11-19 next year.

A parent from Pauktaw Township said: “Teachers have had to flee for their lives, so it is impossible to open schools. Children could not go to school for years due to Covid-19 and the political crisis. It is not OK if schools are closed again and exams can’t be held.”

More than 130,000 people have reportedly been displaced by the renewed fighting since the second week of November; civilian casualties inflicted by junta strikes continue to increase.