RAKHINE STATE – 13 girls from Ahtet Myat-hle Village in Ponnagyun Township and 31 novice monks from Wanda Pala Monastery from the same village went to Yangon on May 6 to study at Maungdaw 3 Miles Monastery in Shwepyithar Township, but the check point at the exit of Thandwe City did not allow them to go, so they had to turn back, said Mr. Htun Naing who accompanied them.
“The parents at Ahtet Myat-hle Village sent the children to study at Maungdaw 3 Miles Monastery in Yangon’s Shwepyithar so the children can receive an education. There was no problem at other check points. Thandwe city exit gate did not allow them to pass,” said Mr. Htun Naing.
He said that the 13 girls and 31 novice monks were not allowed to go because they are under age (between 8 to 15) and had no national identity cards, only having certificates issued by the village administrator.
The abbot of Maungdaw 3 Mile Monastery said, “The people of Myo ethnic live in the jungles and make a living. We sent these children with the aim of educating them in the civilized community. The authorities said they would not allow them to go because the case could involve human trafficking.”
Maungdaw 3 Mile Monastery has established a Social Welfare School in Yangon’s Shwepyithar Township under the name of Maungdaw 3 Mile School, and he has been teaching the children of Myo ethnic people who could not get an education.
Ahtet Myat-hle Village of Ponnagyun Township is a village resided by Myo ethnic people and the children from the village were barred from travelling on their way to study at said school in Yangon.