Schools cannot be reopened for the new academic year in Rathedaung Township due to continued fighting between Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army in the region, Township Education Officer U Kyaw Mya said.

Schools located in urban areas and from Yay Soe Chaung and Kyauktan villages cannot be reopened.

“Teachers who went and registered students in Yay Soe Chaung and Kyauktan villages had to flee from the area because of gunfire around the villages. Even schools in Rathedaung town cannot enroll students,” U Kyaw Mya said.

The number of students enrolled at the high school in Kyauktan village where villagers were killed during Tatmadaw’s detention has been just over 200 until June 3, said U San Thein Tun, headmaster of the high school.

“Not all villagers returned home to their village. Some families fled to nearby villages again because they heard the sound of gunfire recently near the village. Teachers are now staying in Rathedaung town under the management of the Township Education Officer. If the number of students is increasing, teachers will go and teach in relevant villages,” he said.

Local residents from northern Arakan State are facing difficulties because the ongoing armed conflicts between the Tatmadaw and the AA has affected the region’s education, health care and economy.