Latest education report from Karen State schools
Updated November 2, 2001
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Expressed Needs
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In June 2001, twelve KTWG mobile teacher trainers entered Karen State on their first three-month training cycle throughout the 4 northern districts (Mutraw, Doo The Doo, Taungoo and Kler Lwee Htoo). As it was their first cycle, the MTTT (mobile teacher training team) focused on developing positive relationships with local teachers and communities while trying to identify specific needs.
Data Collection Methods
Prior to leaving on their first cycle MTTT
received training in participatory and community-based research methods.
Each MTTT member was provided with an assessment package, which helped
him or her collect information about diverse issues concerning education
in the community. MTTT personally visited every accessible community with
an operating school (defined as any site where you have teachers and students).
Members facilitated community meetings, encouraging all community members
to participate. MTTT also met with teachers individually and observed
them in their classrooms. The photo below is of High School teachers from
Mutraw District which
is in the northern part of Karen State.
Summary of findings (KTWG can provide the report upon request)
a. Education is highly valued amongst the Karen
community. Even in the most stricken communities, there are attempts
made to provide formal schooling to their children.
b. Notwithstanding the dire circumstances of Karen State communities,
a significant number of schools are operating. KTWG is able to access
these schools on a regular basis throughout most of the year.
c. The political and economic hardships suffered by communities
are inextricably tied to difficulties in the schools. Poor health, lack
of food, poor security resulting from SPDC military activities, and
general poverty all contribute to student absence from school and/or
performance in school. Communities' capacity to support their teachers,
students and schools, is severely limited for the same reasons.
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| A teacher's depiction of the difficulties Karen teachers face due to deteriorating facilities. |
d. Teachers who have no time for food production due to their
teaching duties, depend on either food or money support from the community.
Where communities cannot support teachers' basic needs, it becomes extremely
difficult for teachers to remain in their teaching positions.
e. The most common stated teacher needs were for subsidies, medicine
and teaching materials.
f. The most common stated school needs were for materials and
buildings.
g. The most common stated student needs were for food, medicine,
materials and textbooks.
h. The most common reasons for student truancy is poverty, poor
health and poor security.
i. Teachers and schools received support from a varitey of local
and non-local sources. Assistance distribution should be negotiated
with local communities.
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