Nearly 1,000 internally displaced children (IDP children) in Ann and Kyauktaw townships of Arakan (Rakhine) State, studying in free schools, face losing their right to continue their education.
Tan Kho Sayar Tun Education Center has opened free schools to help Arakan IDP children pursue their education, with two schools in Ann Township and three in Kyauktaw Township.
The schools currently enrolled nearly 1,000 students from kindergarten through grade 8. Due to funding constraints, the education center can no longer operate the schools and is likely to close them by the end of this month, an official said.
“So far, we’re still teaching the children, but next month, we won’t be able to keep the schools open. We also have a lot of unpaid teacher allowances. With donations having stopped completely, we won’t be able to cover the schools’ costs anymore,” he told DMG.
The schools typically need about 7 million MMK per month to operate. The funding crisis has worsened in recent months, and with aid nearly halted, it is now forcing the schools to close.
War-torn Arakan State is already struggling with severe unemployment, rising prices, and serious livelihood difficulties. Parents worry that shutting down the free schools will add even greater strain on their families.
“Life as a refugee in a place that’s not your own is really hard. Many children have to turn to beggars because living conditions are so tough. School fees are also very high. If school fees are needed to pay if free schools close, it’s impossible to balance the income, and exactly will end up in debts,” said an IDP woman currently taking shelter in Ann Township.
Schools have opened this year in areas controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State, but access to education remains a major challenge for many IDP children and those from low-income families. For these children, continuing their education depends on free schools established by community organizations.
“Closing the free schools is a huge loss, not just for the children but for the future of all Arakan State. It would really help if the AA could provide some support to keep them running. In a time when getting an education is so difficult, there should be more free schools, not fewer,” a Kyauktaw Township resident said.
It has now been nearly two years since fighting resumed in Arakan State, and the number of displaced people has grown to around 600,000, as the region faces serious challenges across all sectors, including the economy, health, and education.
Nearly two years have passed since fighting restarted in Arakan State, and the number of displaced people has reached about 600,000, as the region struggles with major challenges in areas like the economy, health, and education.
