Taungup Twsp parents fret and keep watch over returning schoolchildren 

By DMG 02 Jun 2021

DMG Newsroom
2 June 2021, Taungup 

Parents and locals in Arakan State’s Taungup Township are keeping wary eyes on their children as they returned to school this week for the first time in nearly a year amid the fraught socio-political dynamics of post-coup Myanmar. 

One parent of a student who declined to be named said parents had gathered to wait outside their children’s schools to ensure the safety of teachers and students during school hours. 

“The reason we are waiting is because we don’t want our children’s education to be affected by politics. We are providing security for our children and teachers to be safe; so that they can study safely during school hours,” the anonymous parent said.  

A teacher from Guta ward, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Students’ parents are waiting outside the school. Departmental security was there when the school opened. We don’t want to disturb the teaching at the school.” 

In Taungup town, the word “informer” was recently written on the walls of Basic Education High School (BEHS) No. 1 in Kampaing ward, BEHS No. 2 in Guta ward, Basic Education Primary School (BEPS) No. 1 in Thein Taung ward, and BEPS No. 2 in Chaung Kauk ward. 

Tensions exist between those engaging in the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and others not participating in the CDM for various reasons, including those desiring some semblance of normalcy in post-coup Myanmar. Following the February 1 military coup and formation of the Tatmadaw-led State Administration Council, anti-regime movements have included classroom affairs, with students and/or their parents opting out of the education system under the junta, and teachers not reporting for work. 

Though Arakan State has been relatively muted in terms of opposition to the military government, the state had already been plagued by years of armed conflict and was still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic when the coup-makers seized power, prompting mass protests in cities and towns across the country.  

The Taungup Youth Network plans to provide protection against harm to students attending school, according to an official from the network. 

“We don’t want our children’s education to be affected. We, the Taungup Youth Network, will do our best to protect schoolchildren. It is important for children to be educated,” he said. 

As of June 1, the number of students attending school in Arakan State was 101,301 in Sittwe District, 110,652 in Mrauk-U District, 43,211 in Maungdaw District, 64,626 in Kyaukphyu District and 39,141 in Thandwe District, for a total of 358,931, according to the State Education Office.