The Department of Education under the United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the Arakan Army (AA), has introduced mandatory qualifying examinations for primary, middle, and high school teachers in areas under its control, local education officials said.
The move is part of a broader push to raise teaching standards and reassess the existing teacher workforce, amid concerns that some registered educators have left their posts in Arakan (Rakhine) State while continuing to appear on official school rosters.
A ULA Education Department official said the exams are aimed at both quality control and accountability within the system.
“Our goal is to build a stronger, higher-quality education system here. These exams will also help us identify teachers who are still listed on paper but are no longer actively teaching in classrooms,” the official told DMG.
The ULA-led administration has been working to build an independent education structure separate from the junta-run system.
It has already established dedicated departments overseeing basic education, higher education, teacher training, examinations, and curriculum development as part of that effort.
However, the education sector in Arakan State has been severely disrupted by years of conflict, displacing teachers, interrupting schooling, and forcing many to turn to other professions in order to cope with livelihood challenges.
A primary school teacher from Minbya Township said many educators have already left the system due to displacement and economic pressure.
“Because of the conflict, a lot of teachers had to leave and find other ways to survive. Some even went to India for trading work. This review is necessary to figure out who is still actually available to teach and who has already left the profession,” she said.
A teacher from Mrauk-U District also supported the planned examinations, saying they could improve professionalism and accountability in schools.
“Introducing a proper qualification exam can raise teaching standards. It also makes sure that people employed as teachers are actually committed to working full-time in schools. Right now, some are registered but not present at school, busy with other jobs or traveling, and that needs to be addressed properly,” he said.
During the early phase of ULA administration, volunteer teachers relied on small community-funded allowances due to limited financial resources and the absence of structured salaries.
More recently, the ULA has allocated a budget for teacher salaries, although the payment structure has not yet been publicly detailed, according to education community sources.
Meanwhile, the ULA Examination Board released the latest results of the Grade 12 matriculation examinations a few days earlier.
The AA currently holds control over 14 of Arakan State’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State. Within these areas, the ULA has been gradually expanding its administrative structures to cover sectors such as education, healthcare, policing, and the judiciary.
