Rising from adversity in conflict-affected Myanmar
Community education allows Kim Pu to dream again
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- မြန်မာ
For 9-year-old Tung Siam Kim, also affectionately known as Kim Pu, becoming a pilot has always been his dream. However, due to COVID-19 and ongoing political unrest, his education had to be put on hold. As the youngest of six siblings in a struggling agriculture household, Kim Pu’s determination to learn remained strong, despite the limited educational resources.
He had already enrolled at the village community learning center when UNICEF and its partner organization initiated an education project in Chin state. This project became a ray of hope for Kim Pu and his peers, whose education was also interrupted.
As part of the Quality Basic Education Pathways for Children of Myanmar Project (QBEP4C), Kim Pu, along with others, have been accessing primary school level open learning materials at the community library to support their studies. Since the village school closed in 2021, the community learning center has become the sole education center for children in the community."
“I was really upset when the village school closed during COVID-19. I was worried because we didn’t know when it would get better, and if our school would ever open again. But then I got so happy when I heard about the community learning center. Now I can learn and see my friends every day!” said Kim Pu.
Rising at 6am, Kim Pu diligently attends to his morning routine before heading to the community learning center at 9am, where he remains until 3pm.
"I like that I finish my school by 3 pm. Then, I can help with chores, look after my grandma, and sometimes I get to play football with my friends. It's a lot of fun!" said Kim Pu.
In addition to guiding students through open learning materials in Myanmar, Mathematics and Science, the community teachers at the learning center have taken on teaching additional subjects such as English and Zolai (Chin Dialet). Their dedication to starting from the basics has laid a strong foundation in subjects, making learning a fun and fulfilling experience for every child at the learning center.
One notable teaching style observed in the community center is practicing active participation in class. Children are encouraged to read aloud in front of their peers to help build confidence in their reading and comprehension skills. These reading exercises also encourages an inclusive learning environment amongst the students as they cheer each other on during these sessions, creating a sense of belonging. Not only that, reading aloud in front of an audience helps children, even those as young as Kim Pu, develop the valuable skill of public speaking and overcome any fear associated with it.
Since joining the community learning center and participating in these diverse learning activities, Kim Pu has shown improvement in his comprehension skills in the Myanmar language.
“I’m doing really well in my monthly test, like a first or second grade level!” said Kim Pu.
Kim Pu also takes a special interest in learning English, to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. “I want to be good at English because I heard that being good at it will help me become a pilot.”
For children like Kim Pu, the impact of these educational opportunities is profound - the open learning materials have reduced the need for separate study time at home, effectively improving not only the performance but also well-being of the students.
Kim Pu’s father has expressed his gratitude for the community learning center.
“We are a big family. With everything that’s going on, I don’t have a regular income. Thanks to the community learning center, my children can dream of a better future. I’m very grateful.”
The community learning center has played an especially important role in easing the financial burden on households, particularly for the education of their children.
“I’ve noticed Kim Pu and all the other kids are doing very well in their studies. Kim Pu’s writing has now improved, and his spelling is spot on now. They’re all enjoying learning together and I want to give a big thanks to the project on behalf of our village,” said Pa Awn, Kim Pu’s father.
The community learning center stands as a symbol of hope and resilience for children like Kim Pu in conflict-affected areas such as Chin State. With improved access to learning materials and dedicated teachers supported by the QBEP4C project, children in these communities now have a chance to dream, learn and build a better future.
Ongoing political conflict in Myanmar has resulted in a lack of educational opportunities for children, with one in three primary school children and half of secondary school children facing barriers to access any form of education. The QBEP4C education programme, funded by Finland, EU and DFAT, addresses this issue by offering continuity in learning activities and establishing alternative education pathways for 78,823 children across 39 townships in Ayeyarwady, Bago, Chin, Kachin, Magway, Rakhine, Sagaing, and Shan.
