Migrant Worker Issues and Children’s Education Crisis

Myanmar Spring Chronicle – January 30 Overview
MoeMaKa, January 31, 2025

Migrant Worker Issues and Children’s Education Crisis

In recent days, Thai authorities, including immigration and police forces, raided a primary school in Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, southern Thailand. The school, which was attended by children of Myanmar migrant workers, was not legally registered, leading to the arrest of four teachers and the order to shut down the school.

The school, run by a Christian church, had around 190 students and provided education in Burmese language and primary-level subjects. Due to its lack of official registration with the Thai Ministry of Education, authorities charged it with operating illegally. Additionally, the teachers face charges for working without proper permits.

Parents had been paying between 300 and 500 baht per month for tuition. Many Myanmar migrant families rely on informal schools because enrolling in Thai public schools is often difficult due to language barriers and enrollment restrictions.

Millions of Myanmar migrants in Thailand work in sectors like agriculture, fisheries, construction, restaurants, and factories. Many have lived in Thailand for years, bringing their children with them or even giving birth there. To address the lack of formal education, Myanmar community groups and religious organizations have set up informal schools. However, due to financial constraints and legal challenges, securing proper registration remains difficult.

A few months ago, Thai authorities had already issued orders to close several unregistered schools in southern Thailand, affecting thousands of students. Unlike previous enforcement actions, where schools were simply shut down, this time, authorities also arrested teachers and school administrators.

The Growing Myanmar Migrant Crisis

Myanmar’s internal conflict, economic collapse, and job scarcity have driven an increasing number of people to seek work abroad. Since the military coup in 2021, migration has surged, as people flee forced military conscription by both the junta and certain ethnic armed groups.

Despite the long-term presence of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, their children still lack access to stable, high-quality education. Due to legal and financial obstacles, formal schooling remains inaccessible. While some non-governmental education initiatives exist, they are insufficient to meet the overwhelming demand.

As Myanmar families continue to struggle abroad, a pressing question remains: How will Myanmar’s government and NGO organizations address the future of these migrant children? So far, no clear answers have emerged.

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