The teachers’ short training course is being conducted from April 14 in Hakha City, Chin state. No teacher should be absent from the training. If a person fails to attend it, he will lose a month’s salary, a local teacher said.

The authorities have ordered all teachers of middle, primary and high schools to reach Hakha city by April 13. Then the training would begin on 14 April, 2009.

Although it cannot be predicted what subjects would be mainly discussed during the training, many believe that it might be wooing and persuading professionals for the forthcoming 2010 general elections, a teacher in Hakha said.

“It is so strange that they have called all teachers to one location - Hakha city! We used to have the training in concerned townships earlier. It must be a kind of election campaign and they are planning to get our votes,” he told Khonumthung News.

Teachers in Burma usually have 10 months of schooling period in a year and they have free time in April and May, so that they can spend it with their families. However, now they have been compelled to attend the training.

In fact, there are about 3000 teachers in all townships in Chin state. But, it is very difficult to attend such meetings, due to transportation for teachers in remote areas. Therefore, the trainees cannot be expected to come, said one of the teachers.

The teachers in Burma earn Kyat. 35,000 to 1 lakh, according to their rank and posts. However, it is not sufficient for their livelihood as prices of commodities are increasing daily and the economic crisis still exists within the country. So teachers are extremely disappointed with the authorities’ arrangement and order. Khonumthung News