Minority Mro children lack access to Mro literature and language education in schools, resort to self-learning strategies

Narinjara News, March 31, 2023

The lack of Mro literature in basic education schools attended by Mro ethnic children in Rakhine State has led to the establishment of self-learning schools for these children.

At present, a Mro youth group based in Thiho Aye village, 4-Mile neighborhood in Maungdaw Township, is providing a Mro literature course to 97 trainees, Ko Maung Hla Win, the young leader of the village, told Narinjara.
"We are teaching the fundamental terms and characters of Mro literature in this course. Our aim is to open and teach such courses to help the Mro children understand the essence of our literature and preserve our culture”, he said.

Commencing on March 11th, the course will remain open until the end of May.

The Mro literature course was initially introduced in 2017 across Ponnagyun, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Kyauktaw townships by the Mro Literature and Culture Association. The course currently being offered in Thi Ho Aye village is the second edition.

 Requests for the inclusion of Mro literature in the curriculum of schools attended by Mro children have been made annually since several years ago. On Mro New Year's Day in 2022, another written request concerning this matter was submitted again to the government.

 "Since 2017, we have been making regular requests to teach Mro literature in schools on ethnic days and New Year's Day. However, we have yet to receive permission or see any progress towards this goal”, said U Zani Phyu, chair of the Mro Literature and Culture Association.

 As a measure to ensure the preservation and protection of Mro literature, such courses, alternative forms of self-supporting schools have been established, he explained.
Successive governments in Myanmar have provided budget support for the celebration of important cultural events like Mro National Day and Mro New Year's Day, however, the promotion and teaching of Mro literature have been largely neglected, he added.
“We desire for Mro children to gain knowledge about our literature. As long as the Mro tribe continues to exist, Mro literature will persist. However, official recognition of Mro literature in schools would ensure its preservation. Hence, we request the government schools to provide the option to teach Mro literature. Although Mro literature may not be in imminent danger of disappearing, it is crucial to consider its long-term preservation”, U Zani Phyu said.
The Mro people possess a distinct cultural identity, including their own literature, language, traditions, and dress code. They predominantly reside in rural areas and support themselves through hillside farming while living harmoniously.

 The Mro people inhabit the townships of Ponnagyun, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Kyauktaw in Rakhine State, with a total population of between 30000 and 50000, according to U Zani Phyu.