“The first intake will only accept male students. There is enough space for fifty students but we can only accept one gender. We choose male students,” U Aung Aung Min, deputy director general for the higher education department, told The Myanmar Times on September 19.

“The decision was made by the state government so we just followed its choice,” he added. 

The college is located between Hakha and Falam townships. Construction started since the 2016-2017 academic year. Classrooms, employees housing, accommodation for student and a dining room are ready for the start of university.

“Accommodation for girls is still under construction. On the other side, we want to open the college as soon as possible because of the state’s demand. Currently, we have many female teachers so we will start the first batch with male students, to form new teachers,” commented the Social Affairs Minister for Chin State, Pau Lun Min Thang, concerning the initial gender imbalance.

Girls will only be accepted for the second intake as women accommodations are still under construction. 

Female students from Chin State wishing to join the Hakha Education College for the second batch can apply like in the previous year.  

Previously, students from Chin State taking higher education courses had to go to the University of Kalay, Pakokku, or Monywa education colleges. 

Chin State is the least developed region still suffers from a lack of reliable transportation infrastructure. Teachers from other states and regions usually don’t stay for very long. The new education will contribute to solve the need for higher education within the state.

“I believe the education college will benefit children from our state. Teachers formed at the college can improve the state’s education,” U Pau Lun Min Thang  added.

Hakha College opened last December. It was the first college of the Chin State. When the Hakha Education College opens, it will be the first education college for Chin State.