School Opening Time Nears, Yet School Building Remains Incomplete at Hpung Ngai Yang IDP Camp

Pajau Media

May 2, 2025

The displaced people of Hpung Ngai Yang have been sheltering for nearly a year due to the capture of Sumprabum town by armed conflict. Although the time to reopen schools for the education of children in the camp is approaching, the construction of school buildings has yet to be completed, according to sources.

“The school opening time is near, but the existing school buildings are decaying and damaged. So, the IDPs are using their own labor to build new school buildings. Initially, one building is being constructed for KG to Grade 4, while another separate building is planned for up to Grade 8. However, due to the shortage of teachers and the difficulty in managing students, only one building is currently under construction. Completing it is proving challenging,” said a camp official.

As the displacement period lengthens, more students are arriving to attend school. Although parents are contributing to constructing school buildings, there is still a shortage of construction materials. Additionally, more teachers are needed for education, according to camp authorities.

“We have to fetch construction materials from Myitkyina. Sometimes, we worry about the military situation along the way. During the monsoon, heavy rains may damage the roads, so we are trying to finish construction before the rainy season,” the official added.

While the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) regularly provides food aid, including rice, to the Hpung Ngai Yang IDPs, reduced assistance has forced some to engage in small-scale gold panning in rivers and streams or farming to sustain themselves.

The Hpung Ngai Yang IDP camp is located along the Myitkyina-Putao road and houses over 1,500 displaced people from Sumprabum, Insi Yang, and Wadat villages. The camp offers education from KG to Grade 8 but faces a shortage of teachers, according to camp officials.

News – Pilan U