By Kantarawaddy Times
It is reported that over 400 basic education schools are scheduled to reopen in areas of Karenni State controlled by resistance forces for the current academic year. Sources claimed that although these schools are being established by a variety of organizations and use different education curricula, they are cooperating and working together.
It has been discovered that basic education schools, run by the Karenni State Government’s Ministry of Education, have already begun reopening in the last week of May. The Deputy Minister of the Karenni Education Department (KnED), Khu Bue Reh, asserted that they have been preparing and implementing security measures for students.
“We have built bunkers surrounding the school environment. In border areas, we have trained students on how to take cover and escape if they hear an approaching airplane. We continue these drills even now, as the new school year begins. We have been preparing for this,” said Khu Bu Reh, Deputy Minister of the KnED.
Sources indicate that the Ministry of Education is currently preparing to implement the Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) system. Around 80 basic education schools under KnED will begin teaching using this system for the current academic year.
The main focus will be on teaching students in eastern Deemawso, eastern Loikaw, and eastern Hpruso. Kindergarten classes will also be taught using this system. Other schools are currently using different education curricula.
“Our primary focus is to provide opportunities for displaced children who are scattered in IDP camps. We first ensure that children have access to basic education. The most important thing right now is to ensure that children have the opportunity to learn, regardless of the curriculum,” said Khu Bu Reh.
According to junta education records, there were 459 government basic education schools before the coup in Karenni State. During the 2023-2024 school year, the junta was only able to open 109 schools in Karenni State. For the 2024-2025 school year, the military junta is only able to operate schools in Loikaw city. Among a total of 125 schools, only three high schools are able to reopen.
Some residents who are planning to return to Loikaw have begun enrolling their children to be able to access education.
The Progressive Karenni People’s Force (PKPF) reported on May 1st that 23 schools have been destroyed due to the conflict in Karenni State since the coup within three years.
