Cash-strapped free schools for IDP students close in three Arakan State townships

By Admin 27 Aug 2025

DMG Newsroom

27 August 2025, Pauktaw

The Lin Yaung Chi Foundation's free schools, which educate more than 2,000 displaced children across three townships in Arakan State, are facing a funding crisis.

The Lin Yaung Chi Foundation has 2,016 displaced students from kindergarten to Grade 9 for the 2025-26 academic year and operates free schools in Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, and Rathedaung townships.

"Currently, some schools have been closed due to almost no donations. The rest of the children are studying on loans. Due to financial difficulties, free education may be completely stopped. The foundation's activities are also in danger of stopping completely," said an official from the Lin Yaung Chi Foundation.

The Lin Yaung Chi Foundation currently operates nine free schools in the three townships, but out of 2,016 students, only 1,687 are continuing their education, with schools having been closed for the remaining children.

The cost of educating the students, including textbooks, pencils, health supplies, and teacher salaries, is estimated to be K17 million per month.

The Lin Yaung Chi Foundation is urging everyone who is able to support and help students as suspending their educations may make it more likely that they will not resume or complete their schooling.

"If we stop providing free education, these children will be completely deprived of education and this will be an irreparable loss for the future of the country. We also urge everyone to help us, as we need many educated new generations to become a developed society," the foundation official said.

Although schools are open in townships controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State, some students, including IDP children, are losing their right to education due to livelihood hardships.

IDPs are facing food insecurity due to lack of employment, irregular income, and lack of support. School-age IDP children in townships such as Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, and Pauktaw are unable to attend school and some are reportedly begging for food.

On the other hand, township-based social welfare organisations are planning and implementing a free education system. Despite the free education system, some IDP students are unable to continue their education because they cannot afford other expenses.

Schools in many townships in Arakan State have been closed since November 2023 due to fighting between the military and the Arakan Army, and are reopening this year.

Although schools in areas controlled by the Arakan Army are open regularly, many displaced students are unable to attend school due to financial difficulties and are in need of assistance to continue their education.