An escalation in the civil war in Myanmar has resulted in a significant rise in destructive attacks on schools, as reported by Myanmar Witness, a group monitoring armed conflict in the country. The attacks have exacerbated the already fragmented school system in Myanmar, depriving millions of children of education, forcing them to flee their homes, miss vaccinations, and suffer from inadequate nutrition.
Since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi three years ago, Myanmar Witness has identified a total of 174 attacks on schools and universities. However, other organizations, such as the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, have reported even higher numbers of attacks on educational institutions.
The 2021 military takeover led to widespread nonviolent protests for democracy, which were met with lethal force, prompting many to take up arms against military rule. As a result, large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict, with the military government estimated to control less than half of the nation.
The destruction of schools has been primarily attributed to airstrikes conducted by the Myanmar military, which have intensified as pro-democracy forces and ethnic minority armed groups have made gains on the battlefield. The military has denied targeting civilians or using disproportionate force, despite reports indicating otherwise.
Education in Myanmar has been further disrupted by factors such as the exodus of teachers joining civil disobedience movements, the involvement of young people in the resistance, and the shifting front lines of the conflict, making it challenging for teachers to provide consistent lessons.
As a result, a dual education system is emerging in Myanmar, with state-sponsored schools and alternative schools established by various groups. This situation has put children and educators in a precarious position, subjecting them to harassment, detention, or punishment based on the schools they attend.
Amid the educational crisis, Myanmar is also grappling with a deepening humanitarian situation, with over 3 million people displaced by fighting and a worsening economic crisis. The United Nations reports that a significant percentage of Myanmar's children are living in food poverty, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the country's youth.
With more than half of Myanmar's children now living in poverty and facing educational disruptions, the country is confronting a multifaceted crisis that requires urgent attention and intervention to safeguard the well-being and future prospects of its youth.
