Kachin News Group / BNI Online | May 31, 2018

The parents of internally displaced person (IDP) children from Awng Lawt Village are feeling worried for their children as they have to sit for an entrance exam to transfer from the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) school to government school.

Awng Lawt Village under Tanai Township is home to the headquarters of Kachin Independence Army Brigade 2 and the students had studied under the KIO education system.

Thousands of residents fled to government-controlled areas in the towns after the Tatmadaw launched an offensive against Awng Lawt area since early April.

Daw Lamyam Hka Tawm, an IDP from Awng Lawt Village who is residing at Myitkyina Jaw Mast Baptist Church, said she is worried for the students that have to sit for the entrance exam in order to continue their education at the government school.

“The children didn’t pass

[the exam] there (in Awng Lawt), but they have to sit for the exam here. The children fled after hearing gunfire so they are still scared. They must have forgotten what they have learned now. If they fail the exam, they will fall behind despite their age. I’m worried that it will happen,” she said.

A total of 162 children from Awng Lawt Village have arrived in Myitkyina and they have to transfer to government school.

IDPs from Awng Lawt Village are also taking shelter in Namti and Tanai.

KIO students were allowed to attend government schools without sitting for entrance exam during the 17 years of ceasefire from 1994 to 2011.

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This article originally appeared on The Irrawaddy on May 31, 2018.

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