Locals, students suffer as PDF threats shut down schools in Kyaukpadaung
148
Hsu/ Pearl (NP News) - July 28
Based on information from local sources, several basic education schools in Kyaukpadaung Township, Mandalay Region, have closed after receiving threats from an armed group.
According to reports, the People's Defense Force (PDF) has been regularly threatening government staff in Kyaukpadaung Township, and these threats have recently targeted education personnel more frequently.
According to local sources, about 15 members of the People's Defense Force (PDF) recently arrived at a primary school in Kyauk Khwet village. They reportedly threatened the teachers to close the school and then locked the classroom and compound gates before leaving.
A resident told The Statesman “The places where the PDF has influence, they threaten education staff by calling or coming in person. Some female teachers are scared and don’t go to school anymore. If the teachers don’t teach, the children don’t attend either. In places like Ngalay, Hsawyawtaw, and Kyauk Khwet in Popa Zaung, the situation is dire. The PDF can easily infiltrate those areas. Because of their threats, some schools have had to close. Teachers don’t have anything to defend themselves with—just chalk and pens. They’re defenseless compared to those with weapons. That’s why schools are shut down.”
Many school-age children had already lost significant learning time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their education was further disrupted after the 2021 political events, which brought propaganda and unrest. Now, just as normal schooling had resumed, new threats from armed groups are again interrupting education.
As a result, some children have had to relocate with their families and enroll in schools in other townships or regions. Unfortunately, due to financial hardship, many others are forced to stay, missing out on their education entirely.
“Our country has been hit by both COVID and conflict. Because of that, many kids are two years behind. Schools were closed during COVID for a year, then the conflict happened. Now, even when schools are open, the kids are scared to attend. Many are falling two years behind their age group. People are fed up—no matter who says what, they just want to move on. That’s why these new school closures and threats are widely disliked. Some parents have relocated to places where they think is safe. But others can’t move, and their kids are stuck without education. Even people who used to support the PDF are now rejecting these actions. They’ve suffered enough and are now criticizing what the PDF is doing,” the same resident added.
While some locals initially supported the PDF, many reportedly can no longer tolerate their violent tactics. As a result, people in the region are hoping the military will carry out clearance operations.