UNION Minister for Border Affairs and for Ethnic Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, together with Rakhine State Minister for Secu­rity and Border Affairs Col Kyaw Thura and officials, visited the Border Area Ethnic Youth De­velopment Training School in Sittway yesterday afternoon.

During the inspection, of­ficials explained details of the training school and regional development projects, and the Union minister coordinated and made the necessary arrange­ments based on the presenta­tions.

In a subsequent meeting with staff, teachers and stu­dents, the Union minister urged students to study hard, acquire knowledge beyond their practi­cal skills, and strive to become capable and responsible individ­uals. At the same time, he called on teachers and coaches to help students cultivate sound values and ideas, and to become good citizens on whom the state can rely for the stability, peace and development of the country and their respective regions. He then presented awards and held a cor­dial discussion with the staff and students.

He also inspected the clean­- liness of the classrooms, dormi­tories, dining halls and library, as well as the school grounds and the planting of seasonal crops.

Later, he met with repre­sentatives of ethnic literature and cultural associations at the meeting hall of the Rakhine State Directorate of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, where he deliv­ered a speech. He addressed the requirements of the associations and provided grants to the as­sociations and staff. — MNA/ MKKS