Despite the War, Providing Informal Education in Myanmar
Funds raised so far: 13%
What is the situation surrounding informal classes?
The aim is to support informal and alternative classes, outside the state school system, in order to compensate for the government school system, which has been at a standstill since the military coup on 1 February 2021.
Since the start of the civil war, teachers have been on strike and young people have refused to attend military schools as a sign of opposition to the junta. This student strike followed on from the Covid-related health restrictions during 2020. As a result, only some young people have returned to school (around 40% in 2023).
To address school dropout rates and youth idleness and prevent young people from falling prey to various scourges (human trafficking, forced labour, recruitment into the army, etc.), many local actors are setting up informal classes with volunteer teachers. These classes are a way of removing young people from the civil war.
A teacher’s monthly salary is €20 (50,000 kyats).
Support an informal class in Myanmar
IMPACT OF THE SOCIO-POLITICAL CONTEXT ON BURMESE YOUTH
Myanmar is in a state of civil war with 2.6 million internally displaced persons fleeing fighting between the Burmese army and local militias. After months of ineffective general strikes following the February 2021 coup, the population has taken up armed resistance.
The withdrawal of foreign investment and economic sanctions are leading to a wave of poverty and a return to the level of development that existed before the country opened up in 2005.
- School dropouts and idleness: exposure to various scourges (child labour, early marriage, vulnerability to drugs, etc.).
- Exposure to various networks and trafficking (prostitution, forced labour in border areas or abroad in particular): with the economic crisis, young people have no choice but to seek work at any cost to earn a living and help their families.
- Forced enlistment in the Burmese army or voluntary enlistment in armed civilian groups to fight against the military.
- Loss of enthusiasm due to uncertainty about the future.
- War-related trauma: young people are deeply disturbed by the context and situations they witness.
- High school students constitute a ‘lost’ generation, having been unable to complete their studies.
- Inability to take online courses: war zones have no electricity or network coverage.
What do statistics show?
In August 2020, public schools were closed due to the health crisis. The military decreed their official reopening in November 2021.
- 35% of teachers have resigned since the coup d’état in February 2021.
- Only 42% of pupils are returning to school, either out of fear of the military personnel supervising the establishments or as a sign of resistance to avoid supporting the regime.
- 7.5 million young people have been deprived of education for the 2022-2023 school year.
As a result, parallel schools are being organised to compensate for the absence of teachers or population displacement.
The Objectives of Informal Classes
- Help children and young people continue their education amidst the political climate, so that they will be ready to return to school when the political situation normalises.
- Protect children and young people from exposure to misfortunes associated with idleness. The most exposed children and therefore the most vulnerable, are displaced children who had to flee their villages.
- Protect older children from being drafted in the Burmese army or armed resistance.
- Prepare the reintegration into the public school, according to the dissident government’s curriculum (NUG) where possible.
- To give Burmese youth reasons to hope, to believe in the future and to move closer to a normal childhood/adolescence.
Who will benefit from this programme?
Informal classes are local initiatives led by communities in response to the absence of schools since the coup and the boycott of public schools by teachers and parents.
- 120 locations involved.
- 22,368 beneficiary children/pupils.
- 1,095 teachers, with an average of 20 pupils per teacher.
- 50,000 kyats (€20) per teacher per month.
These classes are coordinated at national level by the education branch of the Burmese Church. They are established in all places where public schools can no longer function, particularly in war zones (Kayah State, South Shan State, Karen State and Chin State).
Classes are held in camps for people displaced by war, parish or village halls, community centres, private homes, etc.
The teachers are former teachers who have retired or resigned since the coup, higher education students or boarding school supervisors. They are paid €20, which is four times less than a normal salary.
The subjects taught are academic subjects (Burmese language, mathematics, history, etc.). A number of schools follow the curriculum of the government in exile (NUG) more closely. In addition, educational and support activities are offered to help young people develop resilience in the face of the trauma of war.
Support an informal class in Myanmar
How does this programme contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
How can you help?
The operations at Children of the Mekong rely on a strong network of loyal and trustworthy local programme managers who live in the communities. Thanks to this network, we have been able to continue and extend our support despite the crises.
Education and security are fundamental human rights that must be ensured, especially through national crises such as the current civil war in Myanmar. You can support the informal classes programme with a donation.
22,368 children need your help to continue their education in Myanmar.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity
