In spite of risks posed by the Myanmar military, over 475 Karen children have been able to attend home-based schooling. Classes are provided by 62 striking teachers from the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). With generous donations from the NZEI and PPTA teacher unions, these volunteers provide mathematics, geography, English and Myanmar language classes to children from kindergarten to 6th grade.
Since 2020 schooling for children in Myanmar has been completely disrupted – first by COVID and closely followed by the brutal military coup a year ago. The day after the coup, doctors and nurses across the country took strike action, joined soon after by other public sector workers such as teachers, as part of the ongoing resistance movement.
Thousands of families have been displaced by fighting and these workers have voluntarily provided them with health and education services. But teachers have families too, and UnionAID has supported the CDM by ensuring they are paid.
We are still raising funds for the CDM in Myanmar. You can donate here.
