South Dovani

[Wu Han]

Schools Reopen Under Military Protection in Eastern Provinces
28 July 5636



Na Sap –– Ten days after terrorist threats shuttered schools across the eastern provinces, the government, military and National Teachers’ Federation have reached an agreement to return students to the classroom. Under the agreement, 7,000 additional military personnel and National Police Force officers will be stationed at schools across the region to ensure the protection of students, teachers, and education workers. This deployment comes on top of a recent surge of military personnel into the eastern provinces, which many have described as the largest military presence in the region since the height of the conflict in the 5550s. 

The National Teachers' Federation had ordered a work stoppage on July 18th, following the distribution of Unified People's Militia (UPM) pamphlets and social media posts threatening to murder school workers who appeared in classrooms last week. These threats also came amidst an increase in kidnapping incidents involving school administrators. Education Ministry officials stated at the time that they found the work stoppage "unnecessary," though "understandable in light of the fear caused by terrorist propaganda." 

The UPM has reportedly cited their opposition to the National Unity Curriculum as the reason for the threats against civilians. Education Minister Anawin Jantarapong (HP-PA) was directly targeted in UPM propaganda, with Phra Rath reporting that some UPM pamphlets featured "the likeness" of Anawin hanged from a noose. However, appearing at a school in Khamlua, Minister Anawin was defiant.

"I am a Hanzenese soldier, and my supreme responsibility as a soldier lies with protecting our nation and the rights of 90 million Hanzenese citizens," Anawin said. "Defending our children's education, the foundation upon which the very future of our people depends, is a battle I am duty-bound to fight – and I shall until my final breath."

The Minister also highlighted the enhanced importance of the Youth Readiness Program, a part of the new curriculum which provides students basic training in emergency drills and national service simulations, in light of these recent terrorist threats of violence against the public. Prime Minister Prasert Thanomchai (UCF-PA), for his part, declared that the government would not retreat "one inch" from the implementation of the National Unity Curriculum, and vowed "to disrupt and ultimately defeat these terrorist cells in order to restore harmony among our peoples." 



Hanzen Daily is a major newspaper and online news outlet in South Dovani.

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