CNI News

22 August 2025

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) has opened a school to enable children displaced by conflict from villages within the war zone in Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region, to continue their education, according to local residents.

Schools in the villages of Le Net Gyi, Pe Kone, and Nar Yaw in southern Banmauk Township have been unable to open for three years as they are located within an active conflict zone.

In response, the SNA's Brigade 614 established a school in the Hlwarsin Kone ward of Banmauk town, also providing students with stationery supplies.

A local resident stated, "Since they can't open schools in the villages because fighting could break out at any time, they are teaching in two shifts here in Hlwarsin Kone ward. One group learns until 12 AM, and the second group learns from 12 AM to 3:30 PM. It's truly sad. That's why I donated necessary items like notebooks, pencils, erasers, and provided a noon meal."

Currently, a total of 206 displaced students from the three villages of Le Net Gyi, Pe Kone, and Nar Yaw are studying at the school opened in Hlwarsin Kone ward, Banmauk.

Banmauk Township, the gateway to Kachin State, is the scene of ongoing clashes between the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) and joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People's Defense Force (PDF), who are frequently launching offensives to gain control of the area.