In Myanmar decades of political conflict have reduced a once-proud education system to one that is lagging far behind the developed world education standards. At education expenditures: 0.8 percent of GDP (2011), Myanmar scores 172, the lowest rate in the world. The education system at the school level is so terrible – the teachers are badly paid. There is no proper equipment in the schools. The children cannot even afford textbooks. Due to the lack of investment, schools often charge students a range of unofficial fees. Many families, particularly those in poorer rural areas, cannot afford to pay these fees and so are forced to withdraw their children from education. These issues are at nation-wide level and are greater in the conflict-affected areas where BHF works.
BHF aims to help the vulnerable and marginalized children in Myanmar to have better access to education, and to increase their confidence and enjoyment in learning. BHF has devised an integrated education program which include:
- Building and renovating permanent schools and TLCs (Temporary Learning Centres)
- Increasing enrolment and retention rates in project areas
- Improving the infrastructure and WASH in schools
- Supporting school feeding programmes especially where nutrition is a problem for children
- Creating a child friendly school environment in schools
- Improving social-psychology status of children such as playgrounds and seasonal school competitions
- Distribution of school kit and school uniform
- Facilitation of teacher’s training programs for indigenous volunteer teachers
- Supporting indigenous teachers with salary while advocating the communities and policy makers to increase allocation of resources for primary education including teacher’s salary