A Mon Middle Level School under Pressure to Relocate A Mon Middle Level School under Pressure to Relocate Independent Mon News Agency October 21, 2005 A Mon National Middle school, which is operated by Mon community in Lamine Sub-town in Ye township of Mon state was under pressure to relocate after the school land space was seized by SPDC authorities. The school land was seized since last as the local authorities' plan to build government's department buildings while the Mon State PDC decided to promote Lamine (Mon) village as Sub-Town. "When will you move? When will you move? They (the authorities) regularly came and asked us. We will not move without they pay us sufficient money for the cost of our school building," a Mon teacher exposed to residents. The school was run for 9 years with the support of Lamine Mon community and about 300 students attended the school and about 13 teachers are providing teaching. Last month, the local authorities ordered to relocate the school from the lands they confiscated. But the local Mon community leaders demanded 15 million Kyat for the cost of school building. Local Burmese authorities agreed to give 10 million Kyat for the cost of building and forced the school leader to sign that they give 12 millions Kyat instead, according to school leader. However, the SPDC authorities still did not give the money and have threatened the teachers to relocate the school. "How we can move? The school is opening. The new school is not built yet. If we relocate, the students face problem for their education in this year," the teacher explained. According to a school administrator, the Mon national school was build with two concrete floors by the assistance of the local residents and Mon migrant workers in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in order to support for Mon education in their community. The school is in the heart of the town, in the land of Lamine Pagoda, and lands are traditionally belonged to the community. For the school, ICRC (International Committee for Red Cross) has also supported toilets and a water reservoir. Before the school land was confiscated, the local community also tried to extend a school building. In Lamine Sub-Town area, there were about 30 Mon National School were operating before May 2004, and these Mon schools were forced to closed down by SPDC authorities. ......................................... For further information please contact to imna_news@yahoo.com , www.monnews.com, www.monnews-imna.com Chief Editor Tel: 66 (0) 1 3659140, Editor : Tel: 66 (0) 9 2072825, 66 (0) 9 54 94 296 Please visit Burma News International Web-site: www.bnionline.net, in which IMNA is a member. ~