To ensure the safety of students from the junta’s bombings, bomb shelters have been installed at the new school building in a displacement camp in the western part of Demoso in Karenni (Kayah) State, said the parents of students and officials of the school.
A parent of the displaced student said, ÒNow my child is safer attending the school near our residence. I can easily pick up my child in case of an emergency. The presence of bomb shelters within the school ensures their safety. I feel more confident sending my child to school now.”
It has been three years since the displaced children started learning at the IDP camp. Only this academic year, the school building was built on a self-reliant basis. The bomb shelters are installed in the school buildings, the parent of the student said.
For three years, there was no separate school building. The school building was constructed with the contributions from the school superintendent’s friends, colleagues, and Christian ministers, said the school superintendent.
Bomb shelters are installed in the new school building in order to protect the children from airstrikes by the junta.
“For the past three academic years, we had to teach the children at the market. We set up classrooms at the market, which led to various challenges as both the market committee and villagers lodged complaints about the teaching arrangements,” said the school’s superintendent.
“I was very disappointed because there was no school here. I myself remain displaced. Now the parents feel safer as the school is in the displaced camp,” said a parent of the displaced student.
“A school ward emerged after a teacher here sought donations for the school during the school opening season. Displaced students no longer need to go far. There is no need to hire teachers. It was difficult to hire teachers due to the lack of income during displacement,” the parent said.
That school has over 80 students and nine teachers. Last year, the Karenni State Interim Executive Council provided four teachers with 450,000 Ks for the first time and 200,000 Ks the second time respectively. During this year, the IEC provided the school with three 18 ftX 18 ft waterproof sheets for the school, the school superintendent said.
The school superintendent said the school is in need of cash assistance for hiring techers, teaching aids, tables, chairs and toys for preschool-aged children.
Sent by NMG