Students who have entered the university entrance exam of 2022-2023. (Photo: Junta control media)
Pan Pan
Under the Myanmar military coup, as the junta can no longer supply electricity throughout the nation regularly, an alternating power outage system in townships is implemented. The only period the junta distributed electricity on time was during the matriculation examination period.
Amid the junta’s disruption, some students, who halted their pursuit of higher education as part of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), or abandoned government universities due to the coup d’état, are now engaging in vocational education while working. However, the nighttime power outages are significantly affecting the studies of those pursuing informal education.
A 23-year-old man with a minor vision impairment, nearsightedness, highlights the challenges he faces when studying at night.
“As someone with nearsightedness, I struggle to focus if the lighting is inadequate. My routine includes attending evening classes and studying at night. On blackout nights, I resort to using candles, but they are not very effective.”
He is persistent, despite the challenges. However, it is not easy.
“I also rely on flashlights and other electric lamps, but I find it difficult to concentrate for extended periods. It hurts my eyes so I need to give my eyes a rest. With (public) electricity, good lighting would not cause much problem. However, nothing cannot be done. I spend less time studying on blackout days, and more time studying when I get the electricity. We need to adapt to it since I cannot say anything critical.”
Financial constraints prevent him from purchasing an inverter or generator to mitigate the effects of power outages. His nearsightedness necessitates wearing glasses with a power of 150-170, further complicating his nighttime studies.
Furthermore, during the summer months when hydroelectricity distribution diminishes and natural gas is insufficient, power outages frequently occur. Severe disruptions occur everywhere except in military communities and areas associated with cronies.
Currently, some regions are grappling with extreme temperatures, with Magway Region in Myanmar recording the highest temperature at 44 degrees Celsius, according to the junta’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.
Amidst severe temperatures and frequent power outages, students enrolled in online courses face significant challenges, according to a concerned parent who wished to remain anonymous.
“My child is not only tackling regular schoolwork but also attending an online English-speaking course at home. Despite the scorching weather outside, blackouts add to the discomfort. Children are learning in hot weather. They look so pitiful.”
Another mother agrees.
“Internet connectivity is crucial for online learning. Sometimes, the power bank drains, resulting in canceled sessions. We have to rely on inverters when the electricity is cut off. It’s exhausting to deal with interruptions during every session. Electricity is paramount; it ensures students can study without disruptions,” emphasized the mother of a 14-year-old student.
Beyond electricity issues, live music performances at liquor and beer shops pose further obstacles to students’ education. Since the coup, these establishments have increasingly hosted stage performances, becoming popular entertainment venues. Large restaurants and liquor stores feature soundproof setups for performances. However, local beer shops lack such provisions, leading to noisy gatherings that extend late into the night.
Additionally, as the shops are opened in cooperation with the military and police, the neighbours cannot complain about the loud noise having impact on students.
“The band does not close until around 10:30 pm and 11 pm. No one can tell them since they already have a connection (with the military). I have to study closing all the windows at night amidst hot weather. With hot weather and loud noises, I am planning to move to a quiet place. There is a bar wherever I move. Everyone wants to take a rest at 10 pm. I also study the Japanese language, and they are interfering with my studying,” said a young adult staying in Yangon’s Tamwe Township, crowded with beer shops.
Under the previous civilian government, which was ousted by the military in 2021, electricity was more readily available 24/7, and such disruptions were rare. Moreover, there were fewer stage performances at liquor and beer shops.
However, over the three years since the coup, severe power outages, along with shortages of gasoline and diesel, together with the junta’s recent military conscription drive, have cast a shadow over the future of Myanmar’s youth. Consequently, more young adults are contemplating migration abroad.
