There are plenty of well-preserved pagodas and monasteries in Pagan and Mandalay districts. Their monasteries are educational institutions for local kids from poor families. Monasteries play an important role in people's daily life and people call them the Buddhist Colleges with respect. There are more than 1000 Buddhist colleges in Mandalay alone. Children learn to live independently here, and the youngest ones are only 5 years old. In this ancient Buddhist country far from modern civilization, studying in monasteries from young is the best and the only way to receive education.