Following the commencement of the enrollment week for the upcoming 2023-24 academic year, basic education schools in Rakhine State have initiated the acceptance of student enrollments. However, in areas severely impacted by Cyclone Mocha, reopening schools and commencing education will pose significant challenges despite the acceptance of enrollments, locals said.

Numerous areas in Rakhine State have been impacted by Cyclone Mocha, with the northern parts being particularly hard-hit. Unfortunately, the situation in these areas remains dire, and reviving the education system poses significant challenges at present.

"Some schools in Thandwe and other townships are opening their doors for student enrollments. However, in hard-hit places like Sittwe, the challenges go beyond mere accessibility for teachers to reach the schools, making the prospect of reopening extremely difficult. The remote and frontier regions of northern Rakhine face nearly insurmountable obstacles in resuming educational activities. As a result, many schools in the cyclone-affected areas are still unable to accommodate student enrollments. It seems increasingly likely that only schools located in downtown areas will be able to accept enrollments at this time”, a Sittwe resident said.

Downtown schools have a reasonable chance of reopening after accepting enrollments, whereas small village schools continue to struggle with providing education even when enrollments are accepted.

"As the cyclone struck, the overflowing streams inundated village schools, leaving behind a daunting challenge. The infiltration of silt and debris into the school buildings has rendered reopening a formidable task. The accumulated silt and garbage, which persist till this day, hinder the possibility of children returning to school with ease”, another Sittwe resident noted.

All schools in Gwa Township, Thandwe District, are currently accepting enrollments and promoting the slogan "Enroll in school right away, let no child's education sway”, the Rakhine State government announced on May 23rd.

Numerous schools in Rakhine State's northern townships, including Sittwe, Manaung, and Kyaukphyu, suffered significant damage in the wake of Cyclone Mocha.

As of May 25th, the Ministry of Education, under the Military Council, reported that over 1.3 million students have enrolled in schools nationwide since May 23rd when student enrollments commenced.

In Myanmar, enrollment week is scheduled from May 23rd to May 31st, and the Ministry of Education has declared that schools under the Department of Basic Education will reopen on June 1st, with free provision of school textbooks.