Hundreds of storm-ravaged schools in Arakan State repaired: military council

By Admin 11 Jun 2023

DMG Newsroom
11 June 2023, Sittwe

Out of 1,538 public schools damaged or destroyed by Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State, 375 schools have been repaired, according to a statement released by the Arakan State military council.

Of the remainder, 990 public schools are currently being repaired and the other 173 schools will be taken care of as soon as possible thereafter, the state military council said on the Thi Kyar Say Chin Ngwe Thazin Facebook account on June 10.

“At least 450,000 students are reportedly attending school. Arrangements are being made for the students from damaged schools to pursue their education at monasteries and religious buildings. Schools will be repaired as soon as possible,” the statement added.

The 1,538 schools that were damaged or destroyed by Cyclone Mocha account for nearly half of the 3,193 schools in Arakan State. The storm made landfall near Sittwe with destructive force on May 14, but most schools in storm-hit Arakan State nonetheless went ahead with plans to reopen for the normal start of the academic year on June 1.

A total of 2,410 schools in Arakan State reopened on June 1, with the remaining schools scheduled to open in the third week of June, the state military council has said.

As some of the schools are still being repaired, students are having difficulties learning.

“They [teachers] rent some homes in the village to teach students. High school students are given priority to learn their lessons,” said Ko Yan Myo Aung, a resident of Donepaik Village in Rathedaung Township.

As a result of the cyclone, more than 90 percent of residential buildings were destroyed in Rathedaung Township, including all houses and schools in Donepaik Village, where 13 villagers were killed.

“Children in urban areas are going to school, but there is no school in our village. At this time, if the children do not go to school, they will be behind in their education,” said U Maung Sein Kyaw, a local man from Geitchaung Village in Ponnagyun Township.

Geitchaung Village has a population of more than 400 people across 80 households, remotely located near the border of Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships.