University students in Arakan State are reportedly in discussions about whether or not they should attend when classes resume later this year.

“Some students are happy to attend their courses when universities are resumed,” said Ko Toe Toe Aung, a member of the political affairs committee of the Arakan Students’ Union.

Many post-secondary offerings will reportedly resume on May 5.

U Kyaw Naing Oo, head of Academic Affairs at Sittwe University, said the institution received a directive on April 17 to resume university operations next month.

“We were told to resume final year courses in May. So, we are arranging to resume the university as we are instructed,” he said, adding that Sittwe University would resume operations in line with COVID-19 preventive regulations.

There are more than 700 students for final year coursework and M.A. (written exam) courses at Sittwe University.

Across Myanmar, primary and secondary schools and colleges and universities have been temporarily closed since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.