The Hung Noi Student Hostel has been officially inaugurated and handed over to the community at Chhaipra Peak, in Bandarban marking a significant milestone in expanding educational access for children from remote villages.

Built by residents of six villages through voluntary labour, the hostel will provide accommodation for students who previously lived too far from school to attend regularly.

Known as the “Light of the Mountains”, the hostel will allow children to stay closer to school and continue their primary education, helping reduce dropout rates.

Jaki Marma, acting headteacher of Parau Para School, said the establishment of the hostel had opened a new horizon for education in the remote area.

He said children from four of the seven surrounding villages, who had previously struggled to access education, would now be able to stay at the hostel, avoid long and difficult journeys, and focus on their studies.

Menrat Mro, karbari of Menrat Para, said that although he was not educated, he strongly believed education was essential for social change.

He said that when Uthoiyoy Marma visited the village last year, he had requested the construction of a student hostel.

Menrat Mro said the community was surprised by how quickly the hostel had been built and was very happy to have it. He also thanked Uthoi Wai Marma and all those who contributed to the establishment of the Hung Noi Student Hostel.