In this academic year the Burmese junta has doubled school fees leaving most parents of students frustrated in Falam township, Chin state western Burma.

A report said that primary school students who used to pay  Kyat 2000  have to pay 3000 now, middle school  students who paid pay Kyat 5000 have to pay Kyat 7000 while high school students’ fees  have been hiked from Kyat 7000 to 10000.

"The government’s excuse for increasing fees is that it is spending a lot on purchases or repairing school furniture like every year. We have to spend more money for text books and uniforms," a local parent said.

The school authorities in Chin state have never supplied enough furniture to the schools. They have just made excuses to collect money to fill their pockets every year. The parents therefore are frustrated with the new academic session starting.

"The increased school fees are not only for school furniture but also for the school head master and other staff. They need additional income for their families. The educational system under the military junta is terribly corrupt!" said a retired head master in Kalemyo.

A local teacher told Khonumthung News that there were four high schools, 14 middle schools and 165 primary schools with a total of about 5000 students in Falam Township, Chin state last year. However, it is difficult to estimate the total number of students this year. It cannot be more than last year.

There has been a similar increase in school fees in other parts of Chin state.

"There is hardly any financial assistance from the government to the schools. It provides only text books but those also have to be purchased by students. As there is very little provision for the schools, teachers, collect money from their students for buying things like dusters and chalk. A primary student’s parents have to spend around Kyat 30,000 per year in a village," an educational staff in Matupi said.

Besides, the government collects money for school repairs and other necessities from students' parents every year.