Students compelled to attend classes at Mocha's ruined schools

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

According to local residents, numerous schools in Sittwe, Rathedaung, Ponna Kyunt, Kyauk Taw, 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, the authorities have compelled the students to attend class. Because of sagging tin roofs, 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 school in 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 knows when the schools will be rebuilt.

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

"As students arrive at schools, we are concerned about their safety." If it rains, it will be difficult to finish the classes," he added.

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

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

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

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