By Kantarawaddy Times
In the first week of September, following two consecutive days of airstrikes by the military junta targeting civilian areas, most schools in the western part of Dee Maw Township and Pekon Township in the west of Karenni State, which were affected by the airstrikes, have been temporarily closed, according to local residents and those assisting displaced persons.
Although the exact number of schools closed due to concerns over air threats is unknown, nearly all schools near the bombed areas have been shut down, said a member of the Job For Kayah group, which assists internally displaced persons (IDPs), in a statement to to Kantarawaddy Times.
“Almost all schools for IDPs have been temporarily closed. While I can’t give an exact number, it’s understood that schools near the bombed areas will remain closed for about one week or 10 days. This is primarily due to the airstrikes and the constant flying of aircraft day and night, which is worrying for the children. That’s why the schools are being closed,” said the member from Job For Kayah.
On the night of September 6, a bomb dropped from an aircraft hit a IDP camp in western Pekon Township, killing nine people, including children, and injuring 20 others. It has been reported that the schools will remain closed indefinitely.
Similarly, some schools in the western part of Dee Maw Hso Township have also been closed, said Ko Phoe Zaw, a member of the Tun Myanmar Donation group, which helps displaced persons.
“When airstrikes occurred near Bang Kok in Lai Eai Province, Karenni State, nearly all schools in the surrounding areas were closed, with the closures remaining indefinite. Similarly, in the western part of Dee Maw Hso, many schools have already been shut down, with reports indicating they will remain closed for approximately a week,” said Ko Phoe Zaw.
The military junta’s repeated airstrikes on schools and areas where displaced civilians are living, combined with the presence of surveillance aircraft, have led to the decision to close the schools as a precautionary measure, according to a displaced woman.
“If the children go to school, they won’t feel safe, and the parents won’t feel secure either. What happened the other day isn’t the first time. So, as a precaution, it’s better to keep the schools closed,” said the displaced woman.
As of September 2024, 24 civilians have been killed in Karenni State due to military junta airstrikes, with over 40 others injured. Among those killed were four students who died while attending school and children who were killed when a IDP camp was bombed.
