Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement issued an order to temporarily close ten unlicensed preschools, including the controversial Wisdom Hill Preschool in Nay Pyi Taw, as of July 1, said San San Aye, Director-General of the Social Welfare Department.
This came after a serious case of child sexual abuse occurred at the Wisdom Hill Preschool in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area.
“The ministry issued this order yesterday. These schools cannot open until they get the ministry’s permission. According to the law, the ministry will allow the establishment of preschools if they meet the required standards. We can take action when there are physical, mental and sexual abuse to children. We will deal with the case at the Wisdom Hill Preschool in accordance with the existing laws,” San San Aye added.
There currently are 25 licensed private preschools in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, including 17 new private preschools which got the nod on July 1, according to the ministry.
The Director-General went on to say that the ministry prioritizes child rights and has signed three agreements with UN on the Child Rights, the Women’s Rights and the Rights of People with disabilities.
“We are working to issue the Child Rights Law”, she continued.
An official of the Wisdom Hill Preschool said: “The Social Welfare Department has ordered more than 20 schools to carry out a temporary shutdown. It has nothing to do with the current case. All these schools will close temporarily before getting the license. We will reopen the school after getting the permit.”
A parent of a student from the Wisdom Hill Preschool said: “I am looking for a school for my child due to the sudden shutdown. On July 1, the school informed me to withdraw their refund. I am thinking about whether I should wait for two weeks or move to another school.”
Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr. Win Myat Aye wrote a post on his Facebook page that “The ministry met with officials from the Nay Pyi Taw Council and members of the Early-Childhood Nursing and Development Supervisory Team. Since the occurrence of child sexual abuse case till date, the ministry has paid special attention to the case in accordance with the ministry’s duties and procedures. The ministry will continue to provide assistance for uncovering the truth about the case.”
Zaw Htay, Director-General of the Myanmar State Counsellor Office posted on social media on June 30: “Heads of the State verbally ordered the officials of Ministry of Home Affairs and Myanmar Police Force to uncover the truth behind this case.”
After the case in Wisdom Hill, many of Myanmar’s netizens have taken part in an online campaign called “Justice For Victoria” in which it demands concise and swift resolution to the case itself and to promote the rule of law to further prevent similar cases from happening again. They have been active on social media sites, mainly Facebook, by demanding justice on the pages of the President Office and other government ministries.
So far, the police are still probing into the case with them having recently releasing a man detained as a possible prime suspect but allegedly without sufficient evidence.
