On November 1, Mon State schools reopened with approximately 40,000 students, according to an official at the Mon State Education Office.
“The number of the students who came to class is over 40,000. These are the students who registered early in the academic year. It’s much less than the previous year,” said U San Aung, Director at Mon State’s Education Office.
Typically school sessions begin in July each academic year but, due to increases of COVID-19 cases, and numerous bombing incidents across the nation, schools had to be closed since July 9.
The Mon State educational system has more than 1,500 schools that typically host over 400,000 students. That is 10 times the current number that have registered.
Due to growing security concerns, parents are worried about the safety of their children, often waiting pensively, each day until classes are finished.
“The students have not had classes for a long time already. I want my children to go to school. But the bombs have gone off here and there, so I do not want my children to go to school. I have to keep watching for a while more,” said one parent from Mawlamyine.
The Mon state education office is meeting with parents to discuss security matters, according to the Director U San Aung.
