Save the Children, UNESCO and UNICEF have strongly criticised Myanmar security forces’ occupation of education facilities across the country amid bloody crackdowns on anti-regime protesters.

In a joint statement on March 19, the three agencies called security forces’ occupation of schools and university campuses a serious violation of children’s rights, demanding that military personnel and police vacate the occupied premises immediately.

The occupations will exacerbate the learning crisis for almost 12 million children and youth in Myanmar, with the Southeast Asian nation’s education system already under tremendous strain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing widespread school closures, said the statement.

As of March 19, security forces had reportedly occupied more than 60 schools and university campuses across 13 states and regions, said the three organisations.

“In one incident, security forces reportedly beat two teachers while entering the premises, and left several others injured,” said the statement. Security forces have also occupied other institutions including hospitals, it added.

“These incidents mark a further escalation of the current crisis and represent a serious violation of the rights of children. Schools must be not used by security forces under any circumstances,” the statement read.

The three agencies also remind the security forces of their obligation to uphold the rights of all children and youth in Myanmar to education as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Child Rights Law, and the National Education Law.

The statement also called on security forces to exercise maximum restraint and end all forms of occupation and interference with education facilities, personnel, students and other public institutions.