Nationwide matriculation exam results released
The regime Department of Education announced that 74,592 students out of 128,820 who participated in national matriculation exams in March and April passed nationwide. Matriculation exams serve as university entrance qualifications.
“The passing percentage is 57.90 for this academic year,” said a source from the Department of Myanmar Examinations who spoke to DVB on the condition of anonymity.
The number of students sitting this year’s matriculation exam shows a decline. Over 160,000 students took the exam in 2023 with more than 100,000 passing. Around 300,000 students participated in 2022. Prior to the 2021 military coup, the number of students sitting for matriculation exams was nearly 900,000.
Meteorologists expect floods in Karen and Mon states
Meteorologists predicted that there may be floods and landslides in Karen and Mon States due to the heavy rainfall expected until June 23. Tanintharyi, Ayeyarwady, Yangon, and Bago regions, as well as southern Arakan State are expecting heavy rain in the coming days.
“The water level in Myawaddy’s Thaung Yin [Moei] River is high and it has reached eight feet which is a critical level. Landslides might occur in Kyaikhto, Bilin, Paung and Thaton townships. Residents in those areas need to pay special attention,” said Win Naing, an independent meteorologist.
The regime Department of Meteorology and Hydrology warned that more rain is expected in Yangon, and along the coast of Tanintharyi Region and Arakan State. The winds may reach speeds from 5-10 up to 30-40 mph.
Courage in Journalism award for jailed filmmaker Shin Daewe
The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) announced the recipients of its 35th annual Courage in Journalism Awards on June 10. Among those awarded was documentary filmmaker Shin Daewe, who was arrested and charged last year in Yangon.
Shin Daewe was sentenced to life in prison under the Counter-Terrorism Act in January. “We need women’s voices in news media to keep the press free and we need to fiercely protect women,” said Elisa Lees Muñoz, the IWMF executive director.
The IWMF 2024 Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award is bestowed annually on a female journalist who has been unjustly jailed, detained, or imprisoned. Alongside Shin Daewe, female journalists from Ecuador, Palestine, and the U.S. were recognized for their reporting.
News by Region
MANDALAY—More than 500 residents living in 153 units located near Bahtoo Stadium in Chanayethasan Township were forcefully evicted on Monday. Some had their homes destroyed by bulldozers. Residents were told May 24 to vacate the buildings before June 7 as the Ministry of Construction owns the land.
“They said that it was because of the electric wire and cables that got tangled close to the buildings,” said a Chanayethasan resident who was evicted. Residents have been living in the 153 buildings near Bahtoo Stadium for more than five decades. Most are retirees from the Ministry of Construction, who were running small businesses inside.
BAGO—The regime has been trying to revoke high school education courses provided free of charge at 16 monastic schools in Pyay Township since November. This measure is meant to force Buddhist novices and nuns to enroll in government high schools.
“We’ve been instructed to enroll our students in government schools since last November. They said it’s because their schools have few students while our monastic school classes are full,” said a teacher in Pyay.
KACHIN—The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) seized control of two military outposts in Waingmaw Township on Tuesday. The KIA started attacking the outposts along the Waingmaw-Chipwi Road on June 10.
“There were [retaliatory] airstrikes,” said a Waingmaw resident. The KIA has now set its sights on the military’s Sadon strategic outpost and the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 58. Residents living in villages along Waingmaw-Sadon Road have been forced to flee their homes to seek safety.
KARENNI—The Interim Executive Council (IEC) claimed that over 46,000 students are studying at 450 schools with nearly 4,000 Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) teachers, who have refused to teach in government schools since the 2021 military coup.
“We presented our policy in the education field for the second time. We’re also working to give the teachers pocket money to purchase textbooks,” said Zu Padonmar, the IEC first secretary. Airstrikes on two primary schools in Demoso Township killed four children and three adults in February.
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