Aid workers have informed Than Lwin Times that in response to the escalating military conflict in Kayah state, schools have taken the initiative to construct bomb shelters where children can study.
The Military Council continues to carry out daily airstrikes and artillery shellings not only in active battle zones but also in areas where there is no ongoing conflict. As a result, the reopening of schools has become even more challenging compared to the previous year.
According to Ko Tint Zaw Hein from Nway Oo Guru Lay Myar, in order to ensure the safety of children attending self-help schools, bomb shelters have been constructed within the school premises due to the constant threat of airstrikes.
He stated, "The national schools and educational institutions in this area have resumed their operations. Our primary focus has been on constructing bomb shelters within the school premises. We had to relocate the schools and ensure that bomb shelters were built before reopening. Whenever we hear the sound of planes, we instruct everyone not to look outside but to immediately seek safety in the bomb shelters."
In early June, national schools and self-help schools in Kayah state began to resume operations. However, the prevalent concern among most schools is the persistent threat of airstrikes from the Military Council.
In addition to Dawtamagyi village-tract, several other villages in the eastern part of Demoso township, where active fighting is taking place, the situation has led to the closure of at least 10 schools.
Furthermore, he mentioned that basic education schools in the eastern part of Demoso have been subjected to damage from artillery shells and airstrikes by the Military Council during the ongoing conflict. As a result, students are not only dealing with the impact of disrupted schooling but also facing the challenge of incomplete teaching materials.
The majority of students in Kayah state, over 90 percent, have stopped attending schools established by the Military Council. In Loikaw township, only a small number of students continue to attend these schools.
Out of the 90 percent of students who are not attending schools established by the Military Council, approximately 80 percent are enrolled in self-help schools within Kayah state. However, there is still a remaining 5 percent who are unable to attend any school.
In 2023, the Military Council is actively striving to establish full control over Kayah State. However, this effort has led to an increased intensity of fighting, resulting in a significant decline in the opening of self-help schools compared to the previous year.
According to U Banyar, the human rights chairman of the Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC), children studying in self-help schools are enduring both mental and physical stress. Additionally, they are living under constant fear and the looming risk of airstrikes.
He expressed, "Previously, our concerns revolved around artillery shells, but now we have the added worry of both artillery shells and airstrikes. The teachers at school are particularly anxious about the possibility of airstrikes. That's why we are urging the construction of bomb shelters to the greatest extent possible. Our levels of physical and mental distress have significantly heightened compared to last year."
The Military Council has been conducting a series of bombing attacks specifically targeting schools where children are studying. One such devastating attack occurred in Letyetkone village, Sagaing Region, resulting in the tragic loss of 13 lives, including children.
According to the Karen National Union (KNU), their Brigade-6 territory has been subjected to intense bombing by warplanes, with a total of 31 incidents reported. Additionally, the ground column has fired artillery shells, resulting in 184 instances of shelling in April and May alone. As a consequence of these attacks, three schools have suffered damages.
The Military Council has mandated the reopening of schools in large cities under their control and in cyclone-affected areas of Rakhine state. However, schools in regions with strong opposition to the Military Council have been deliberately targeted with malicious intent.
