Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar’s education system has become a silent casualty in the ongoing conflict. A report by the Centre for Information Resilience’s (CIR) Myanmar Witness documents 174 distinct incidents of violence affecting schools. This grim reality paints a stark picture of the impact on the next generation, whose futures are being reshaped by the brutality of war.
According to the report, schools in Myanmar have been targeted by airstrikes, weaponry, and fire, resulting in significant infrastructure damage. The Sagaing region, with 36 reported incidents, is the most affected area. The violence has rendered many schools inoperable, with 31.5 per cent sustaining major damage and 9 per cent completely destroyed. The Myanmar military is implicated in 90 of the 113 cases documented in the primary dataset, with nearly half of these incidents resulting in severe damage or total destruction. In contrast, incidents linked to the People’s Defence Force (PDF) generally caused less harm. The data highlights a disturbing trend of increasing attacks on schools, peaking in March 2024.
The repercussions of these attacks extend far beyond the immediate physical damage. The disruption to education has profound implications for the future of Myanmar’s children. School enrollment has plummeted, with the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) reporting an 80 per cent drop in June 2022 compared to two years prior. This decline has left 7.8 million children out of school, severely limiting their educational opportunities. The psychological trauma inflicted on children who witness or experience such violence is immeasurable. Many children have been injured, and although verifying fatalities is challenging, Myanmar Witness has collected reports of 64 deaths and 106 injuries. The case of Chaung Ma village in Sagaing, where an airstrike on May 17, 2023, severely damaged a school and injured two children, exemplifies the tragic human toll.
Behind the statistics lie individual stories of suffering and resilience. In Kani Township, Sagaing, an airstrike on Chaung Ma village on May 17, 2023, resulted in major damage to a school. The Myanmar Air Force is believed to have conducted the attack, which left the school building with a caved roof and shattered walls. The sight of children injured and schools in ruins was testament to how devastating the conflict is on ground. Another heart-wrenching incident occurred in Loikaw Township, Kayah, on November 13, 2023. The Karenni National Defence Forces (KNDF) attacked Loikaw University, used by Myanmar military units as an operational base. The clashes resulted in significant casualties among the military and extensive damage to the university.
The systematic destruction of schools threatens to create a lost generation in Myanmar. Education is not just a fundamental right but also a crucial pathway out of poverty and conflict. The long-term consequences are dire, with diminished educational outcomes translating into reduced economic opportunities and perpetuating cycles of poverty and violence. Parents are left with the agonizing choice of sending their children to potentially dangerous schools or foregoing education altogether. The ongoing attacks on schools are depriving children of safe spaces to learn and grow.
Myanmar Witness has called for international lawyers to investigate these events to determine the status of school buildings as protected sites under international law. The organization emphasizes the need for accountability and justice for the victims of these attacks. The international community must take a stand against the targeting of educational institutions and work towards ensuring the protection of children’s rights.
