Despite the signing of a seven-point preliminary peace agreement between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the Myanmar government last month, many children in refugee camps in the strife-stricken state are unable to attend school, according to the Kachin Peace Network (KPN).
At an event in Yangon on Sunday to mark the second anniversary of the Myanmar army’s attack on the KIO, Khon Ja of the KPN told Mizzima that about 40,000 children had not received school education since fighting broke out.
“This year, children in refugee camps in Maija Yang area [in Kachin State] could not have formal education. Last year, Pan-ye-lan, a charity group, provided school books and support, so the conditions were better,” said Khon Ja.
The camps are suffering from a lack of teachers and proper school buildings, said Aung Min Naing, a Kachin peace activist. Currently, children have to study at makeshift schools, he said.
