Kale Township

Tertiary education is offered to students through three universities – the University of Kale, Computer University of Kale, and Technological University of Kale. In addition, Kalemyo Nursing and Midwifery Training School provides specialized education.  There are seven government high schools in Kale town along with several middle and primary schools. Apart from the state educational entities, there are multiple private high schools, including some using English as the language of instruction, and religious schools.

Children who return to Chin State from countries outside Myanmar will be required to take placement test to determine your level of knowledge.  You should inform the Township Education Department of your return and your desire to take the test.  The test will likely be provided in May, so you should inform the Education Department of your return and your desire to take the test no later than the end of April.  The State or District Education Department can provide more information on the placement tests and on the locations where you can take them. The Education Department has stated that it welcomes returned students/children to continue your studies.

Education is provided in Burmese language.  Depending on your Burmese language ability, you may face some challenges in following the school instruction and may need some private teaching to assist in developing language skills.

Kale has a government run general hospital which is the second largest medical facility in Sagaing Region.  It is reportedly equipped with specialized doctors, surgeons and nurses and with modern equipment.  Patients are required to purchase certain medicine that is not available at the hospital.  In addition to the general hospital, Kale hosts a military hospital and a traditional medicine hospital. There are also a number of clinics run by private physicians providing health care services for the population.

Water is available and accessible in most parts of the town and in every village, primarily via pump wells and dug wells.  Water scarcity is common only in the western part of the town, Hlaing Tharyar ward, located near Kale University, particularly during the summer months. In response to the water shortages, the Government constructed water tanks which distribute water to the community.

Agriculture (primarily rice and beans) and trade are the main income generating activities in Kale. Rice produced in Kale is exported to other parts of Myanmar and India. Small scale livestock breeding exists on the outskirts of the town.   Many younger people with formal education remain unemployed.  However, Kale is rapidly developing, and opportunities for skilled young people are expected, particularly in hospitality management, marketing, food service, and nursing.

Several organizations are engaged in agricultural-based livelihoods opportunities in Kale, including Ar Yone Oo, Thitsar Oo Yin (in partnership with GRET), and Karuna Mission Social Solidarity.

In Kale Township, the Professional Training School of Domestic Science for Women is run by the Education and Training Department under the Ministry of Border Affairs. This training center provides sewing training to women under the age of 30 years of age free of charge (including training materials, lodging, food, fees etc.)

Residents can buy land user rights and apply for land documentation with the General Administrative Department (GAD).  There have been some issues related to land confiscation in Kale but this appears to be declining.  Lack of land documentation confirming ownership of or a claim to the land will present a challenge to restitution.

The Upper Chindwin Youth Network is an organization working to inform and assist communities on land issues, including on land grabbing, land disputes, community forests, applications for land documents, awareness of land laws and land rights, conservation, etc.