Temporary classrooms built for IDP children

By Khin Tharaphy Oo 05 May 2019

Khin Tharaphy Oo/ DMG

May 5, Sittwe

IDP students can attend schools nearby the camps and temporary buildings will be built for the camps that are far from schools, said U Sein Tun Hla, deputy director of the Office of the Head of Education Department in Arakan State.

The new academic year will begin in June and students, who have been taking refuge in IDP camps following the armed conflict between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army in Arakan State, are concerned about their education. About 35,000 people have been displaced from their homes due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

U Sein Tun Hla said that the decision to reopen schools outside conflict zones was made in late May because clashes are kept on occurring in Arakan State.

“We will have to arrange for enrolling and registering students on May 15. So, we are not sure at the moment if schools will be reopened that are in conflict zones. After May 15, we can make that decision,” the deputy director said.

“We told heads of district and township education departments to count up the exact numbers of students in IDP camps in their region,” he added.

The Office of the Head of the Education Department in Arakan State estimated that the number of students living in IDP camps at the moment are over 2000.

Villagers are now taking refuge in Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun, Minbya and Buthidaung Townships, and most of the IDPs are staying in monasteries and schools.