Hike in school fees puts parents in a spot Thantlang
18 June 2007: By increasing fees for high school students in Thantlang Township , Chin state, Myanmar the Burmese military junta has put parents in a spot. Schools seem to have become business propositions with education authorities charging high fees and forcing students to buy school stationery at more than ten times the price in shops.
High school in Chin state (photo - KNG)
In other places high school fees are Kyat 5,000 per student while it is Kyat 8,000 in Thantlang Township. The fees were raised by Mr. Vaise the District Educational Director in Thantlang.
"Schools in other places take Kyat 4,000 to Kyat 5,000. But in border areas where the poor people stay, fees have been hiked. Most therefore are facing a problem," a local said.
No reason has been cited by the authorities for the sudden increase in fees in Thantlang Township High School (1). The students have to buy admission forms for Kyat 200, after which they have to pay admission fees.
In places like Hakha and Falam Townships students pay Kyat 5,000 for admission. But the admission fee in Thantlang Township is higher. People are confused about this disparity.
Moreover, the District Educational Director has forced students to buy exercise books at Kyat 1,300 per dozen and each village has to purchase 40 to 50 dozens. The same exercise books can be bought for Kyat 1200 per dozen in shops outside.
In the high school in Thantlang there are about 1,500 students and the admission fees were paid early this month. In 2006 Thantlang Township students had paid Kyat 3,000 as school admission fees. KNG
