Free schools serving 2,000 IDP children in Arakan State face resource shortages

By Admin 13 Jun 2026

DMG Newsroom

13 June 2026, Ponnagyun

A humanitarian organization providing free education to conflict-displaced children in Arakan State has appealed for support to address shortages of school supplies, teaching materials and classroom repairs ahead of the new academic year.

The Lin Yaung Chi Foundation, based in Ponnagyun Township, said a lack of educational materials, storm-damaged classrooms and insufficient teaching aids are affecting learning conditions across its network of volunteer-run schools.

"We face many challenges," said Ma Khin Yadanar Htun, communications coordinator of the foundation. "Although we provide free education, we often cannot afford to supply enough exercise books. There is also a serious shortage of textbooks, with three students sometimes sharing a single book. This affects learning and creates difficulties in the classroom."

During the previous academic year, the foundation operated eight schools in Ponnagyun Township and one in Rathedaung Township.

The schools serve children from different communities, including Muslim and Mro students. More than 1,600 students attended the schools last year, supported by 153 volunteer teachers.

For the current academic year, the foundation plans to expand enrolment to more than 2,000 displaced children and says additional funding is urgently needed to meet that goal.

The Lin Yaung Chi Foundation was established to ensure access to education for children affected by conflict in Arakan State. However, financial constraints have left many schools facing overcrowded classrooms, damaged roofs, and shortages of desks and benches.

"Without sufficient funding, we cannot expand classrooms to accommodate new students, and we are also short of basic items such as whiteboards," Ma Khin Yadanar Htun said. "Leaking roofs are causing major disruptions during the rainy season. We are also unable to provide stipends for volunteer teachers, making it difficult for them to obtain teaching resources."

The foundation said financial limitations have also delayed plans to expand educational programmes and improve learning opportunities for students.

To address the shortages, the group has launched a fundraising campaign for stationery and other school supplies, though organizers remain concerned about the impact of the economic downturn on donations.

"We want to continue providing free education for these children," said Ko Kyaw Zin Thant, co-representative of the foundation's media department. "Last year we planned for 1,500 students, but enrolment exceeded 1,600. Instead of providing each student with a full set of notebooks, we could only distribute two or three. With paper prices continuing to rise, it will be difficult to meet students' needs if fundraising goals are not reached."

Several school buildings were also damaged last month after heavy rain and strong winds swept across Arakan State.

The foundation said it hopes to establish community libraries in the future, but current financial difficulties have delayed those plans.

Founded in 2018 as an emergency humanitarian organization, the Lin Yaung Chi Foundation expanded its activities to include schools for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in 2024.