First-ever medical school to open in Arakan Army controlled territory of Rakhine State

Sources close to the United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the Arakan Army (AA), Department of Education told DVB that it has been accepting applications for its first-ever medical training school, as well as for diploma programs offered in English, accounting, and agriculture in territory under its control in Arakan State since Dec. 24.

A source inside the ULA/AA Education Department told DVB on the condition of anonymity that applicants are students under age 35 who have been unable to continue their education elsewhere in the country due to fighting between the AA and regime forces, as well as travel restrictions placed on residents of Arakan State by the military.

The criteria to apply to the medical training school includes being under age 25, passing the Myanmar matriculation examination with a specialization in biology, a score of at least 70 marks each in biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as a combined total of over 400 marks across six subjects.

The Myanmar high school curriculum has two sets of specialization: biology and economics, each with six subjects. The medical program is seven years, while other diploma programs are only five years, the source added.

Graduates of the medical training school are required to work under the ULA/AA Public Health Department for seven years, and English language program graduates must serve under the ULA/AA administration for five years. The number of years for other graduates to serve have yet to be announced.

The ULA/AA Education Department has provided high school education up to Grade 12 since the 2024-25 academic year. Students who graduate with at least 80 marks each in biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as 60 marks in English are eligible to apply to the ULA/AA medical training school.

Two civilians were killed by airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force in Arakan’s Kyaukphyu Township on Jan. 18. Kyaukphyu, located 317 miles (510 km) south of the Arakan State capital Sittwe, is contested between the AA and regime forces.

Richard Horsey, senior Myanmar advisor at the International Crisis Group (ICG), told DVB that the AA wants to expand its territory to include both Kyaukphyu and Sittwe. If this happens, all the regime would be left with under its control is Manaung island.

The AA has seized control of 14 out of 17 Arakan townships, as well as Paletwa Township in southern Chinland, since it launched its most recent offensive against regime forces on Nov. 13, 2023.

Horsey added that the AA would consider a ceasefire with the regime in Naypyidaw to end the devastating airstrikes on territory it controls. The AA’s allies — the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) — signed China-brokered ceasefire deals with Naypyidaw in January and October last year.