A pro Buddhist group Ma Ba Tha is planning to open a new school. The one to be open in Taunggyup in Rakhine State would be the second to be established by ultra-nationalist group. The school which is named as Ma Haw Tha Hta Free Private school will open its classes from the coming 2017-18 academic year. The school will receive funding from the National Prosperity Company (NPC) and it will allow enrollment by the children from poor Buddhist families. The chair of the NPC was elected as the secretary of newly revamp Wunthanu Rakhita group, an affiliate of Ma Ba Tha. The company got concession for mining of gold and other minerals under the previous government. The company has faced major protest from the workers at Moe Hti Moe Mi gold mine in 2012. The new school in Taunggyup will allow enrollment by 80 students 40 each for Science and Arts classes for 9th graders. From the next year, it will allow the students from 8th grade and University Entrance classes. The secretary of the school committee U Khin Aung said the eligible students across Myanmar would get admission at the school. “The aim of opening the school is for educated youths to flourish in Rakhine State. So far we have received 100 applications from the students who want to join the Taunggyup School,” he said. U Thurein Soe (Dhama Duta), a communication officer for the school said the school would operate under the Ministry of Education guideline; however, one activity at the school would be to do worship by students every morning. He denied the reports saying that the Ma Haw Tha Hta School would not include teaching to promote Buddhist nationalism. The Ma Ba Tha open the first Ma Haw Tha Hta School in Hlegu Township in Yangon last year. The third one was planned to open during next year in Mandalay Region under the aegis of the Head monk of Masoeyein Monastery U Wirathu. Reference: The Voice Daily