Muslim Teacher Highlights Education Struggles and Resilience in Liberated Areas of KyaukTaw

 A Muslim teacher, U Thant Tun Oo, has spoken about the current state of education for Muslim children in the liberated areas of KyaukTaw Township, highlighting both the scale of schooling and the severe challenges faced by students and teachers.

According to U Thant Tun Oo, there are 33 Muslim primary schools operating across the township, with each school enrolling an average of around 300 students. This brings the number of primary-level students to approximately 9,000. In addition, there is one middle school with more than 100 students, while another school under his responsibility enrolls even more.

“Previously, when primary, middle, and high schools were all in one compound, there were about 1,500 students,” he explained. “Now, many school buildings have been destroyed, so we teach in private houses. Children are scattered across different locations.”

Altogether, he estimated that more than 10,000 Muslim students are currently pursuing education in KyaukTaw Township despite the ongoing conflict and destruction.

U Thant Tun Oo also addressed the financial barriers facing many families. For the 2025–2026 academic year, monthly school fees are set at 10,000 kyats for primary school, 20,000 kyats for middle school, and 30,000 kyats for high school. For families with four or five children, these costs are often impossible to meet.

“Parents want their children to study, but some simply cannot afford the fees,” he said. “In those cases, even though teachers themselves do not receive regular salaries, we allow the children to attend classes without collecting fees.”

His remarks underscore both the deep commitment of teachers and the ongoing hardships faced by Muslim communities striving to maintain education amid conflict in Rakhine State.

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