School teachers threatened with salary deduction in Hakha

08 September 2013: High school teachers in Hakha, Chin State were threatened with a salary deduction if they didn’t attend a ceremony marking the International Literacy Day today.

The government of Chin State reportedly ordered school teachers across the town to come to the event held at Hakha Town Hall at 9am.

One of the teachers, who asks not to be named, said failing to turn up at the event would result in a deduction of 5,000 kyats from their salary.

“We were also informed that a certain amount of money would be taken away to buy school materials if we din’t participate,” added the Chin school teacher, who attended the Sunday event.

The teachers were not informed of the event beforehand, but were told that an important ceremony was taking place, for which they must make themselves available.

The ceremony was also attended by Pu Hung Ngai, Chief Minister of Chin State government and other ministers as well as government officials.

About 50 students in their school uniforms also took part in the ceremony that lasted about 45 minutes.

The International Literacy Day was first celebrated in 1966 after being decided by UNESCO in 1965, with aims to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.#