22 education staffs from Maungdaw who arrived in Sittwe for promotional examination are still trapped in Sittwe because the Military Council troops block roads and waterways connected Sittwe and Maungdaw.

Highschool principals and some other senior officers are among the education staffs unable to return to Manugdaw. They arrived in Sittwe for a promotional examination on August 14.

One of them reported to the police stations on Sittwe-Angumaw Road and requested permission for the return journey but was forced to come back to Sittwe at  Yaychanpyin gate after the Military troops barred them from passing through.

“The Maungdaw District Education Director informed the police stations on Aungumaw road and came to pick us up. But an army captain from Yaychanpyin gate didn’t allow us to go. That’s why I had to turn back”, the staff told Narinjara.

The District Education Office submitted a proposal for the safe return of the education staffs to the State Government on September 28, but they had not yet received a reply, he added.

“They shut down transport routes only for the sake of military purposes. But it also damaged the education and health sectors. The Military Council used to say that education is prioritized, however both healthcare and education staff were barred from travelling”, another education staff trapped in Sittwe told Narinjara.

Narinjara contacted Education Director of Rakhine State U Ba Htwe Sein and Deputy Director (Planning) Dr. Tun Tun Thein regarding this issue but could not be reached.

Clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Military resumed in Maungdaw and Rathedaung Townships on September 13. The Military blocked Sittwe-Yaychanpyi-Angumaw road and waterways from the following day.

In addition, fighting in Maungdaw forced around 20 schools to close since August hence around 800 students were not able to study.

Photo - Maungdaw district education director's office.