Mon National Schools in the Mon, Karen, and Tanintharyi regions are facing disruptions in the 2025-2026 academic year due to a shortage of teachers, this is despite a continued rise in student enrollment.
An official from within the Mon National School system stated that due to limited financial support and economic hardship, there has been a high turnover of teachers each year, making it difficult to fill vacant positions.
“Recently, it has become harder to find teachers. Every year, some leave their jobs because they prioritise their family and well-being over the profession. Only those truly dedicated remain. In some villages where support is available, teachers are still managing,” said a Mon national school teacher from Thanbyuzayat Township.
The outflow of young Mon people migrating abroad, along with insufficient financial support for schools has created significant challenges in recruiting and retaining teaching staff.
Currently, some Mon national primary schools face a situation where one teacher is responsible for between 50 and 80 students. This makes it impossible to provide quality individual instruction or maintain effective classroom management and curriculum delivery.
“In this school, the number of students is so high that ideally, we would split each grade into two or three classes, but that’s not yet feasible. This year, one class alone has about 70 and 80 students, while only 10 teachers are permitted to teach. In KG and first grade, student numbers have reached 100, which makes quality education unattainable,” explained a teacher managing educational affairs at a Mon national school in Ye Township.
Education officials warn that while the rising student population signals a positive outlook for Mon’s national education, the frequent turnover of teachers poses a threat to the long-term sustainability and quality of education.
It has also been reported that some Mon national schools in the Tanintharyi Region have not opened this academic year due to a shortage of teaching staff.
In response, Mon national education organisations, local community groups, and education authorities have initiated urgent measures to recruit additional teachers and increase financial support.
Although there is hope for increased teacher salaries and funding, no concrete plans have been confirmed as the new school year begins.
Under the Mon National Education Committee, opportunities for advanced education—including international schools—have expanded. Coupled with political circumstances prompting student transfers and reduced tuition fees, student enrollment has increased this year, according to Mon National Committee officials.
Mon national schools operate mainly as independent institutions within the Mon, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region, including areas controlled by the New Mon State Party and adjacent territories. They also collaborate with government schools. Currently, there are 146 such schools staffed by over 800 teachers, according to information from the New Mon State Party’s newspaper.
