KALAY-The 25 High Schools situated in Paletwa Township, Chin State, can’t open yet and then there aren’t enough teachers, chairs and tables for the students, says Salai Aung Min, education officer from Paletwa Township, Chin State.
“Myanmar kicked off school enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year starting from July 13th to 14th. But, we received only high school level students. In Paletwa Township, there are 38 schools : 22 affiliated high schools and 16 high schools. Among 38 schools, we already planned to open six high schools and seven affiliated high schools. If the situation will be stable, we can open the remaining schools,” said Salai Aung Min
Due to the fighting in Paletwa Township, locals had fled to safer places. So, there were no villagers in some villages as well as difficult transport links caused the school closure.
“Firstly, schools are still closed because all villagers fled to safer places due to figting. And then, the fighting in Paletwa Township has blocked the transport links which caused the shortage of school textbooks. So, we temporarily closed the schools,” said an unidentified officer from the Education Office in Paletwa Township.
Moreover, plans are underway to temporarily build five school buildings near IDPs camps aiming for displaced children.
If schools will open, there have been many requirements such as teachers, tables and chairs.
“The needs are chairs and tables. If a classroom can accommodate up to 20 students, there will be needs of school buildings. Mainly, teachers, chairs and tables are needed for high school level. There are about 90 teachers including senior assistance teachers and junior assistance teachers from other states and regions. But, there will be teacher shortages,” said Salai Aung Min.
The government assigned 360 teachers for all the primary, middle and high schools for the whole of Chin State. That number would fill the need only for Paletwa Township. For the whole state, about 600 teachers need to be assigned, according to the Chin State Government Committee.
