Interview
Border News Agency
Mrauk-U, June 14
In what seems to be the final stage of the war, the Arakan Army (AA) has taken control of most townships, including Paletwa, and is now setting up a governing system as the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government has established the Arakan National Education Department and is implementing a national education system for Arakan.
Border News Agency recently interviewed a female Arakanese teacher from this department.
“They (the education department) haven’t confirmed anything yet. They said they haven’t been able to gather enough resources. But I don’t think even that is clear – we’re only hearing what they say. We don’t know anything for sure yet. The office also hasn’t allowed any official announcement. Even during the first exam, people from their side came.”
“When we asked them, they couldn’t give us a clear answer – there’s nothing certain yet. They said they still can’t say anything. The students are talking about it too. They wonder what their parents will do if they pass the 12th grade. We’re also worried about the kids. But when we ask the department, they just say, ‘We’re working on it on our side.’’
“They just say they’re gathering resources because it’s a time of war. That’s all they’ve told us. As teachers, we don’t know much beyond that. Part of the reason we don’t know is because we’ve been left to figure things out on our own.”
“To be honest, they should already be involving us teachers when it comes to education. They should be holding meetings by now. I don’t think they themselves really know yet what’s going to happen or how things will unfold.”
“Honestly, when it comes to education, they should already be calling us teachers in. Now it seems like something is definitely going to change – because jobs have already been assigned. Those who are on the job list have to sign whether they agree to work or not.”
“As teachers, we truly want to see this education system succeed. We don’t want it to fail or go in a bad direction.”
“The children… Our Arakanese children cannot remain uneducated. We must build our future through education. Without knowledge and skills, later we will become dependent on others.”
“That’s why we always tell the children this message. We even enter their homes to teach them.”
“We can no longer live without being able to read and write. In the past, maybe people could get by without it. But now, that’s no longer possible. Why? Because literacy is essential. Only with literacy can we, as teachers, begin to build something from the ground up. That’s why not knowing how to read and write is no longer acceptable – everyone must learn.”
“They need to have knowledge and skills and on top of that, good morals and character. Right now, I can see that efforts are being made in that direction.”
“But we can’t say it out loud. Isn’t it true that things are falling apart for them? Why? Because those with influence are the ones taking charge, while the educated are being left behind. How are we supposed to express that? Whether change will come or not—people have lost faith in themselves, in their own hopes. But the teachers they still believe.”
“What must teachers do? We must raise children with strong morals and character. We must nurture knowledgeable and skilled individuals. Only then can a nation be truly built on a solid foundation. We, as teachers, believe deeply in the importance of this mission.”
