Matriculation examination to be conducted in 69 centres across Rakhine State

 The forthcoming matriculation examination will be conducted in  69 centres in Rakhine State, whereas the same was organised in 128 exam centres during 2022.

The transition to a new system in 2023 had led to fewer students and thus the number of exam centres reduced to 60. This year only 69 centres will be available for the important examinations.

"Primarily, the centres will be consolidated within towns for convenience. But several towns under the control of the Arakan Army (AA) will not host any centres," said an education department officer.

He added that the matriculation examination will not be conducted in Paletwa, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw, Ramree, Myebon and Ma-Ei townships.

The parents opined that the military situation in Rakhine State has decreased the chances of students passing the examination under the new system.

The matriculation examination this year will begin on 11 March. But  due to the military tension in several Rakhine townships, a large number of students will miss the examination.

"As the conflict continues, the Rakhine pupils face a lot of difficulties and  even the guardians remain reluctant to allow their children to participate in the examination. Meanwhile, many  school buildings have been damaged. A large number of villagers even left their places,” said a parent.

A student from Rathedaung while talking to Narinjara News expressed his reluctance to participate in the upcoming examination under the new system citing the fierce fighting and battles in the  Rakhine region.

"I don't want to sit for the examination amidst intense gun fighting. Moreover, the junta has restricted road communication. Even if we were willing to sit the examination, how would the parents manage it?" asked the student.

Narinjara News tried to contact Rakhine State education officer U Ba Htwe Sein by telephone for details, but could not reach him.

There are over 3,000 basic education schools in Rakhine State, but thousands of those in Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ma-Ei and Ramree townships remain closed due to the conflicts.

Last year, Ba Htwe Sein revealed that in 2022, over 41,000 students sat for the examination.

Next year the number reduced to 19,165. In 2023, 9,964 students from Rakhine State passed the matriculation examination.