Over 170 Muslim teachers working for Arakkha National Education Department

By Admin 16 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

16 September 2025, Buthidaung

More than 170 Muslim teachers from Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships are reportedly working in the Arakkha National Education Department under the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA).

The inclusion of Muslims in the administration and management, teaching, training, and capacity enhancement sectors of the Arakkha National Education Department stands in contrast to past exclusionary bureaucratic arrangements.

"During Myanmar's military regime, there were not even 1 percent Muslims among the education staff in Buthidaung and Maungdaw regions. Now, it is only under the Arakan Army that Muslims have been given the opportunity to participate in the education sector," said a member of the Muslim Affairs Council in Maungdaw.

The Arakkha National Education Department provided three months of teacher training to about 170 Muslim men in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships in June, and they have now been appointed to teach in basic education schools under the ULA/AA government.

Muslim teachers are also being hired for high school classrooms, and the Arakkha National Education Department is inviting more teachers.

"The Arakkha people's government says that education is important in the future development of Arakan State, so Muslims should also work hard and the Arakkha people's government will pay attention to it," said a Muslim man in Buthidaung Township.

Under the previous military dictatorship, Muslims in Arakan State had access to basic education, but due to discrimination, oppression, and other rights violations, few of them pursued higher education.

As a result, Muslims have been underrepresented in departments including education, a deficit the ULA/AA appears to be making an effort to address.

"We are absolutely confident that if Muslims are recognised and live in harmony with other ethnic groups, economic, social, and educational development will soon begin in Arakan State," said another Muslim man from Maungdaw.

Fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in Arakan State began anew in November 2023, forcing the closure of schools.

Schooling in Arakan State is resuming this year, but instead of teaching in classrooms, students are being taught in groups at home or in other places deemed safe, in case of emergency.

U Khaing Thukha, spokesperson for the Arakan Army, has said the Arakkha National Education Department is attempting to create a modern education system and advanced curricula for basic education students and university students in ULA/AA-controlled Arakan State.