STUDENTS are now happily and peacefully back in school in Mandalay Region as all schools across the country are reopened on 2 June for the 2022-2023 Academic Year following the health protocols for the COVID-19 issued by the Ministry of Health.
The handwash basins are installed on the school premise. All the students and the teachers are mandatory to strictly adhere to the health guidelines and assigned teachers to measure body temperatures and check the students whether they are wearing protective masks and face shields and washing hands systematically or not.
Deputy Director-General U San Aung of the Mandalay Region Education Office stated, “Basic education schools were reopened on 2 June and school enrollment date was set between 26 May and 1 June. We have admitted over 580,000 students so far. The number of stu dents this academic year is up by 60,000 compared to the year-ago period. Schools were prepared in line with health guidelines for the COVID-19. Furthermore, under the guidance of regional government, authorities, in cooperation with the parents, are controlling school premises, taking duties for security concerns and ensuring no outsiders enter the school premises”.
There is no deadline for school enrolment. We would accept the enrolment of the students today. The COVID-19 situation forced the school to shut down. Consequently, children were kept away from class. School closing affected the children, learning opportunities and mental health. The State laid down free education policy for basic education and encouraged all the children to enrol at schools. The State has a plan to provide school uniforms for children as well. I cordially encourage the parents to make the children return to school, he added.
Headmaster Dr Than Htike Soe of BEHS 16 in Chanayethazan Township remarked, “The number of students grew this year. We are accepting the enrollment of students this month. Nearly 3,000 students are attending the school. We are trying to drive the education momentum. What a surprising thing for the current academic year is having three new curricula in line with international standards. When the students are adapted to new curricula, there will be no flaw in our education system. For the COVID-19 precaution, students in kindergarten are vaccinated today. The children must be in school and nothing should take them away from the school. This being so, I cordially invite the students.”
To create a fun and enjoyable school environment for students, officials concerned from the Ministry of Education and township CSOs undertook necessary measures to keep the school premises clean and maintain a distance in the classroom setting.
U Aye Min, a parent also shared his opinion that “education plays a crucial role in the children’s lives and parents are making them pursue education. Education is of vital importance in state-building as well. As the young people will lead the country in future, we need to educate them. I feel delighted with fellow parents who came to enrol their children in school. I like to call them to enrol their children”.
There is no school fee charged for enrollment. Those who joined enrollment week (26 May-1 June) have enjoyed free education. School textbooks and stationery are provided free of charge as well. Moreover, school uniforms will be contributed within the school year.
Traffic police are also ensuring road safety in the schools that are connected to main roads in Mandalay city. The respective township administration teams, members of the fire brigade and police force are taking security guard duties as well.
There is a total of 4,268 basic education schools, 241 private schools and 135 monastic schools in the Mandalay Region.
— Maung Aye Chan/ GNLM
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