EDUCATON FESTIVAL UNDER SIEGE ( Kao-Wao ) January 23, 2003

EDUCATON FESTIVAL UNDER SIEGE

(By Taramon / Zobbu, January 23, 2002) Kao Wao

A multi-education festival at Than Phyu Za Yat was forced upon villagers by the government's local Education Department.

Every high school student of the city was forced to pay Kyat 200 for the festival and Kyat 100 for the entry ticket to join the ceremony. According to parents, a dress suit for a performer cost about 10,000 Kyat and parents were forced to pay for making their children's costume.

The Teachers Association from the town’s high school also printed hats with the school's logo and sold them for Kyat 500 each to local passengers passing by the town. If the travelers were reluctant to buy the hat, they were forced to give some cash for the event, a driver from Ye reported.

Similar festivals at other high schools in Mon State were held. According to local resident Nai Klaw, a family from Aung Chan-Thar who couldn’t afford to buy a dancing dress for their daughter was forced to buy the dress by the Teachers Association, the mother had to borrow the money with a high interest rate.

The Celebration Committee gave some prizes to participants, who joined the event, since the costly celebration cost the regime’s Education Department not a single penny with parents being made to pay for everything.