By Sayar Ngaat / MPA
Thai authorities have been frequently inspecting Myanmar migrant schools in Thailand, according to sources working within these schools.
A staff member from one of the schools stated that since the second week of September 2024, Thai authorities, including village heads, police, and immigration officers, have formed teams to carry out inspections of Myanmar migrant schools.
“The main focus is education, but the authorities are concerned about the potential for political activities, religious propagation, terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. They are inspecting the curriculum, checking if there are any political activities, and verifying if the teachers have the necessary documentation. It is essentially a routine inspection,” the staff member explained.
Additionally, the staff member noted that Myanmar migrant schools along the Thai-Myanmar border have been operating for over 20 years and emphasized that there is no cause for concern as long as there is no involvement with drugs or terrorism.
However, on 4 September 2024, Thai authorities ordered the closure of six Myanmar schools, including the Maittar Yate Myanmar Migrant School in Surat Thani District, Surat Thani Province, for violating existing Thai laws.
“For schools in Surat Thani, they have been operating for over 10 years. The sudden closure order seems to be politically motivated. In Thailand, even foreign-run schools are required to sing the Thai national anthem. Some schools refused and continued singing the Myanmar national anthem, which could be one of the reasons for the closure. We have been operating for a long time, and this is the first time we are facing such a situation,” another school staff member stated.
The news of these closures has heightened concerns among migrant Myanmar workers and political refugees in Thailand, who rely on these schools for their children’s education.
“We are deeply worried about our children’s education now that the schools are being closed. We left everything behind to come here, and now we do not know where to turn for help. My biggest fear is that our children will no longer be able to study,” said one parent of a migrant student.
Reports from Thai media indicate that migrant schools in Thailand must comply with the country’s educational regulations, and further inspections of migrant schools will be conducted by Thai authorities.
There are currently about 200 Myanmar migrant schools in Thailand, with an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 students attending, according to the Foundation for Education and Development (FED).
