In the Mon-Karen border areas where fighting between the military junta and resistance armed groups continues, the junta has been conducting aerial reconnaissance and airstrikes. According to local reports, schools in these areas are living under threat of air attacks launched by the junta.
On June 9th, in Paingyat village, Kawkareik Township, despite no ground fighting taking place, a junta airstrike killed three children and one teacher at a private school.
Although ground battles have decreased during the rainy season, resistance groups report that the junta has increased its air attacks.
Students in areas such as Kawtbein, Dhammasa, Tarana, and Kannee are attending school under the unpredictable threat of junta airstrikes, according to a parent from Kawkareik.
A parent said, “Teachers say that whether or not fighting occurs, if something happens to the students, they cannot take responsibility. Even though the children attend school, the children and teachers are terrified.”
According to the monthly data report of the Ramannya Institute for Conflict and Education (RICE), in May, the military junta conducted more than 70 airstrikes, drone attacks, and heavy artillery shelling in Karen State, Mon State, and Tanintharyi Region.
A local from Tarana said there is an urgent need to teach students subjects that help them anticipate and protect themselves from aerial threats.
He said, “In our opinion, besides the usual lessons, schools should teach children about airstrike dangers. It has decreased somewhat until now. When our children go to school, they need to be alert to the sounds of aircraft and bombs. If something happens, they should know how to take shelter in a safe place in the school.”
Many people have died without any chance to escape one of the junta’s air attacks.
The junta’s targeting of civilian homes, religious buildings, and schools has been condemned by human rights activists, who also criticise the international community for turning a blind eye.
On April 15, the junta’s airstrike on a monastery in Kannee Sanpya village killed six civilians, including children, and injured nearly 20 others.
