A free school for impoverished matriculation students who have not yet attended school was opened in Gananpyin village, in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, on December 13.

The school was opened by U Kawithara, an abbot of Zee Chaung Tawya Monastery in Ponnagyun Township.

“I opened this school in consultation with village elders. There are some donors, but we have many financial difficulties,” the abbot said, adding that the school is in need of stationery, desks and carpets.

The school will accept 50 disadvantaged matriculation students from Gananpyin and nearby villages in Ponnagyun Township.

Currently, more than 20 students from 11 villages have reportedly arrived at the school to study.

With only three months to go before the matriculation exam, U Kyi Soe, who will teach at the school, said he would do his best during that time.

“There are many matriculation students in 11 villages in Ponnagyun Township including Ganantaung village,” he added.

Schools nationwide were temporarily closed in July due to the Covid-19 pandemic’s third wave, leaving tens of thousands of students out of school across Arakan State. Families who remain displaced by the two-year conflict between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army have been particularly affected by disruptions to the academic calendar in recent years.

Maung Than Oo, who fled from Paletwa in Chin State to Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, said it was difficult for his son to get an education.

“I have had to send my son to school with the help of my family, because this year is the last academic year for matriculation students,” he said.

A total of 7,714 students identified as internally displaced (IDPs) are enrolled in basic education schools in Arakan State in the academic year 2021-22, according to the Arakan State Education Office.