The Junta is hastily preparing for the reopening of schools for the 2024-25 academic year in Loikaw Township, Karenni State, locals reported.
As an initial step, the Junta plans to reopen only the primary and high schools located in a downtown ward of Loikaw, sources close to the matter told Kantarawaddy Times.
"In a downtown ward, it is confirmed that primary schools will reopen, as well as No. 1 Basic Education High School (BEHS-1), though currently, teachers haven not been called back yet”, a Loikaw resident said.
However the security situation inside Loikaw is not clear even after more than 6 months since the start of 'Operation 1111', clashes continue to occur in Loikaw.*
The Junta's propaganda Telegram channels reported that the coup regime had established firm control over Loikaw and had begun reconstruction efforts. . According to lobby channels, the Junta is prioritizing the restoration of power lines and the reopening of main roads connected to Loikaw.
Junta-controlled media reported that on May 11, Junta-appointed Kayah (Karenni) State Chief Minister U Zaw Myo Tin returned to Loikaw, pledging to safeguard the security and livelihoods of the employees still working in the city.
According to Junta's propaganda Telegram channels, Junta troops and education staff collaborated to conduct clean-up activities at Loikaw BEHS-1 on May 11, in anticipation of the school reopening.
Many parents have expressed their readiness to send their children back to schools if they reopen.
Some locals who temporarily sought refuge in Shan State, are also considering returning to Loikaw and re-enrolling their children in schools. "It is hard sending kids to school when we are away from home. Reopening schools in Loikaw would be a big help for us”, a war-displaced parent from Loikaw said.
The Junta has declared that student enrollment for the upcoming school year will take place nationwide from May 23 to June 2.
However outside the state capital of Loikaw most of the schools are in the liberated areas under control of the resistance. More than 70% of children and youngsters in the war-torn Karenni state are studying in danger as a result of the military council's airstrikes and heavy weapon attacks, Karenni educational volunteers told Than Lwin Times.
Of the 95 percent of children who have access to education in Karenni State, 25 percent are studying in junta-controlled schools, while the remaining 70 percent are studying under the threat of the military regimes’ weapons.
