ULA launches teacher exams and staff audit to strengthen education system in Arakan State

By Admin 15 Jun 2026

DMG Newsroom

15 June 2026, Mrauk-U

The Department of Education under the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has introduced mandatory qualifying examinations for primary, middle and high school teachers as part of efforts to strengthen and formalize the education system in areas under its control, local education officials said.

The examinations are intended to improve teaching standards and review staffing records across schools in ULA-administered areas.

“Our main goal is to build a high-quality education system,” an official from the ULA Education Department told DMG. “The examinations will also help identify teachers who remain on official rosters but are no longer actively teaching in classrooms.”

According to education officials, the review process is aimed at identifying teachers who have left the profession, relocated outside Arakan State, or are engaged in other occupations while still listed as serving teachers.

The ULA has established separate departments responsible for basic education, higher education, teacher training, examinations, and curriculum development as part of efforts to build an independent education system.

The education sector in Arakan State has faced significant disruption due to years of conflict, which displaced many teachers and interrupted regular schooling.

A primary school teacher from Minbya Township said some educators registered in local schools had left Arakan State or turned to other work because of economic hardship and displacement.

“Many teachers were forced to seek other livelihoods after being displaced by the conflict,” the teacher said. “The review process is necessary to determine who is still available to teach and who is no longer working in education.”

Teachers in Mrauk-U District also welcomed the examinations, saying they could help improve professionalism and accountability within the teaching workforce.

“The introduction of a formal qualification exam can help raise teaching standards,” a high school teacher in Mrauk-U District said. “It will also help ensure that those employed as teachers are committed to working in schools full time.”

During the early stages of ULA administration, many volunteer teachers received only modest community-supported allowances because sufficient funding was not available for regular salaries.

Local sources said the ULA has now allocated a budget for teacher salaries, though details of the payment system have not yet been publicly announced.

The policy follows the recent release of Grade-12 examination results by the ULA Examination Board.

The Arakan Army currently controls 14 of Arakan State’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State. The ULA has been expanding administrative services in education, healthcare, policing and the judiciary across those areas.