KARENNI STATE- It was reported that a school was preparing to be opened at the IDP camp in Western Phruso Township, but the parents were concerned about their children’s safety.
In Karenni State, where the battles intensified, the junta troops have been using aerial bombing even without the ongoing clashes in the area. The IDP camp areas were also targeted by junta bombardment, and thus the parents were concerned about their children.
“We are concerned about the aerial raids. Heavy artillery shellings were also fired from the junta army, but they don’t usually reach the IDP camp areas. Parents are indecisive about sending their children to school as they are concerned about the aerial raids,” said a 39-year-old mother at the IDP camp.
The volunteer teacher at the camp stated that she could not fully guarantee the safety of the children. The decision of whether they should send their children to school is up to the parents.
“If one wants their children to be educated and finish a semester, they could admit them to school. We could not force anyone, as there are security concerns as well as social concerns. I told the parents it was totally their decision to make,” stated one of the teachers.
During the last semester, there were only classes for kindergarten to grade 11 students, but the class for the twelve graders would also be opened in the coming semester. More displaced people are joining the camp, and possibly about 600 students will be there in the coming semester.