The basic education school in Kazu Village, situated in Waingmaw Township of Kachin State, is confronting a unique challenge. Despite the return of individuals who were displaced by conflict and are now resettling in the village, the school is currently operating without any teaching staff. However due to the pressures for the school to resume its operations in the 2023-24 academic year, it has been reopened through collaborative efforts involving village elders and parents, locals said.
Despite the absence of teaching staff who are yet to arrive, the school in Kazu Village has been reopened with the parents hoping that the township education office will take necessary measures to address this issue. A village elder has confirmed that the school has no teachers appointed by the government education office when it re-opened on June 1st
In response to the situation, an emergency plan has been put into action, requesting the township education office to temporarily transfer two teachers from the nearby Dabatyang village to Kazu village. In a collaborative effort, Dabatyang village has generously agreed to send two of their teachers to Kazu village.
“Even in their own village, the number of teachers is insufficient, with around 4 or 5 teachers responsible for approximately 100 students. Despite this, they have graciously shared a portion of their teaching staff with us since we have none. Their generosity is commendable”, a parent in Kazu village said.
In Kazu village, a temporary school structure made of bamboo has been erected to facilitate the learning of children. With the assistance of two teachers who arrived from Dabatyang village, the school is now able to open its doors and provide educational opportunities to local children.
Nevertheless, the presence of the two teachers currently overseeing the school is only temporary, as they are unable to stay indefinitely. This has prompted the villagers to emphasize the ongoing necessity for duly appointed teachers specifically designated for Kazu village.
In Kazu village, there is a student population of approximately 100, ranging from primary to high school levels.
Expressing genuine concern, a resident of Kazu village openly acknowledges her worries regarding the education of the children.
"We currently don't have any teachers in our village school. While teachers from another village have kindly stepped in temporarily, I am genuinely concerned about the long-term impact on our children's education," she said.
In Kazu village, the process of restoring and constructing basic facilities is still underway. As a result, the village school can only rely on temporary structures for educational purposes. To establish a more stable and conducive learning environment, significant assistance is required to ensure the construction of a solid and permanent school building in the village.
Some students from Kazu village travel approximately 2 miles to attend school in Garrayang village.
Kazu village, situated along the Myinkyina-Bhamo Road, comprises over 100 houses. In 2011, due to renewed conflict between the Myanmar Military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the entire village was compelled to evacuate. After more than a decade, in March 2023 the residents of Kazu returned to their original village location and reestablished a self-sufficient community, where they have since resettled and made their homes.
