Education during Conflict

The Karen, Kachin, and Shan are ethnic minority groups in Myanmar. They have experienced violence and conflict for many years, and more recently, a coup and a pandemic have cut off access to education for many children in these communities. This is why Better Burma is doing all we can to help the children here, and we will be grateful for any contribution.

The most recent violence began in February 2021, when the military staged a coup and ousted the civilian government. The coup has led to widespread protests and a crackdown by the security forces. This has resulted in a loss of life, arbitrary arrests, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.

The pandemic, which predated the coup, has also had a severe impact on access to education in Myanmar. Schools were closed for several months in 2020 due to the pandemic, and many children were not able to return to school since then. In addition, the economic downturn caused by the pandemic has meant that many families can no longer afford to send their children to school.

We are supporting schools in IDP camps and in the rural countryside to make a difference. We are providing funding for teachers, school materials, and transportation. We are also working with local partners to provide training for teachers and to raise awareness about the importance of education. The pictures included in this post show some of the education projects that are already underway.

Despite the challenges, we remain committed to ensuring that all children in Myanmar have access to a quality education.