In Somo Preh Soe Leh(Shardaw) Township, Karenni State, where the military junta troops have already withdrawn, the school dropout rate among school-aged children and youth has reached 50%, according to Khu Kue Reh, Chairperson of the Somo Preh Soe Leh (Shardaw) Township Youth Organization.
It has now been over a year since revolutionary forces gained full control of Shardaw Township. Even before they took control, education in the area had already been disrupted.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, schools were forced to close, and the situation worsened in 2021 when the military seized power. As a result, the dropout rate among youth increased, according to the Chairperson of Somo Preh Soe Leh (Shardaw) Township Youth Organization.
“In this town, formal education only resumed after the fighting ended. That’s why there’s about a three-year gap in their studies. Because of that, some youths feel embarrassed to return to school because they’re older than normal school age. Moreover, due to weak connections and financial hardships within families, many young people face difficulties in continuing their education,” the Chairperson explained.
Higher education institutions are still not available for young people who have completed basic education in the area. Although some schools have been opened during this interim period, there is currently only one high school available. Therefore, the dropout rate has risen, according to Khu Ngar Reh, the Township Education Officer under the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State.
According to the Township Education Officer, dropout rates are particularly those who have to level up from primary to middle school and from middle to high school.
“In our area, there are plenty of primary schools, but currently only one high school is open. After finishing fourth grade, students are not able to attend fifth grade. At that point, many parents are unable to support their children’s education, leading to increased dropout rates. Furthermore, when students reach high school age, many lose interest in studying. Some want to join the revolutionary forces instead,” said Khu Ngar Reh.
In addition to poor transportation infrastructure, difficulties in securing basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing have made it even harder for children and youth to continue their education.
“There are still many needs. Since support from the United States has been suspended, there’s a lack of funding for teachers’ salaries, learning materials, training courses for teacher capacity building, and general teacher support,” Khu Ngar Reh added.
Currently, there are 26 schools open in Somo Preh Soe Leh (Shardaw) Township, with more than 1,500 students and around 150 teachers.
