Monastic Education Continues On
The following was written by our local team leader:
The military coup that took place in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, has had a profound impact on the education system of our country. Its immediate aftermath led to the closure of schools and universities, depriving students everywhere of their right to education. The repressive measures imposed by the junta, including arrests and violent crackdowns on protesters, instilled an atmosphere of fear and intimidation within the education sector. Teachers and students who were involved in pro-democracy movements faced severe consequences, further disrupting the learning environment.
The quality of education has been severely compromised as a result of the coup. The closure of schools, the fear of persecution, the restrictions on academic freedom, and the deterioration of educational quality present formidable obstacles to the future of our country. In the face of these difficulties, monastic schools have emerged as beacons of hope, and we are determined to support them in any way we can.
We appeal to all those who value freedom and education in Myanmar to consider making a contribution to our ongoing efforts in supporting monastic education.
We have identified several monastic schools and nunnery schools that have specific urgent needs, and we are actively working to address them. Currently, we are in contact with a dozen different schools, and we will provide updates as we gather more information. We will provide some case studies which highlight the individual needs at the various institutions.
One example is a monastic school in Patheingyi Township, located far from the central donation point in Mandalay where we have been organizing donation events. Thus, it will be necessary for us to deliver the donated items directly to this school. Our findings indicate that they typically require about one sack of rice per month, in addition to a range of goods related to classroom instruction.
Another monastic school in Mandalay caters to many boarding students, particularly young children and adolescent girls. They are in urgent need of personal hygiene items such as soap, detergent, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary pads, and mosquito nets, as most of their new students have been displaced from conflict areas.
Furthermore, there is a monastic school situated west of Mandalay, in an urban area where impoverished laborers predominantly reside, and their children attend classes here. This school primarily requires stationery items.
We are aware of another school in the southern Chin state that is in dire need, and we are working to assess their needs as we speak.
Our local team leader estimates that if a donor is able to contribute 140,000 kyat (about $47), they will be able to purchase a range of materials that provide key support to students. Here are just a few options of what your $47 donation could offer:
enough notebooks, pens, erasers, notebooks, and whiteboard markers to sustain 30 students for a semester or
enough sanitary pads for 30 female students for one month or
one bag of rice along with enough paper for a class of 30 students to use for a semester or
additional items related to education, hygiene, and food
By providing these essential items, we can contribute to alleviating the challenges faced by monastic schools and help ensure that the students continue to receive an education despite the adversity caused by the coup. Your support will make a significant difference in the lives of these young learners and will be deeply appreciated.