Several parents in Rakhine State claim that their childrenare being forced to attend classes in damaged schools that have been destroyed by Cyclone Mocha.

According to localresidents, numerous schools in Sittwe, Rathedaung, Ponna Kyunt, KyaukTaw, and Pauk Taw were damaged by the storm and have yet to be repaired.

Some of the damaged schools do not even have roofs or walls. However, theauthorities have compelled the students to attend class. Because of sagging tinroofs, several schools are in risk.

Parents are concerned about their children's safety.

A Sat Yon Suu ward parent reported that some class rooms in front of the schoolin their neighborhood had been damaged.

The pupils are now taught in the back of school buildings.Teachers must always keep an eye on the students for their safety. No one knowswhen the schools will be rebuilt.

"At the school, we don't teach in the damaged dormitories," said aSittwe primary school teacher. However, some Sittwe kids are studying in thedormitories that are in danger of collapse.

"As students arrive at schools, we are concerned abouttheir safety." If it rains, it will be difficult to finish theclasses," he added.

The cyclonic storm on May 14th reportedly damaged 1,337 ofRakhine State's 3,193 basic education facilities.

According to theRakhine State Education Department, there are 487 high schools, 1171 secondaryschools, and 1535 elementary schools throughout Rakhine state's 17 townships.

It is worth noting that the first day of school in Myanmar following thelong summer break is set for June 1. Some schools reopened as usual, howevermany in rural Sittwe, Rathedaung, Ponna Kyunt, Kyauk Taw, Pauk Taw, and otherplaces cannot since the school buildings were damaged by Cyclone Mocha.

The provincial education director, U Ba Htwee Sein, was reached by phone byNarinjara News to inquire how many basic education institutions had beenestablished in Rakhine State, but he did not respond.