More than 90 per cent of Shan national schools in southern Shan State will not reopen for the new 2022-23 academic year because of ethnic armed conflicts in the area.

Shan National Schools are independent schools that teach the curriculum Burmese and also teach the Shan language. They are free for students to attend and are funded by local people and CSOs. 

Often, in rural areas of southern and central Shan State, they are the only schools.

An official from a Shan national school said that even though in previous years there had been many more Shan national schools operating, this year many could not open because of security concerns caused by increased armed conflict in the area.

He said: “There are no more teachers to teach at the schools. Due to the fighting ethnic armed organisations have been recruiting people as soldiers in Shan State. All the school teachers fear for their safety and have run away. Most of the children have gone to Thailand with their families as refugees. As a result, schools will not be able to open.”

He explained that previously, there were more than 200 Shan national schools in southern Shan state attended by 5,000 students. But, only about 20 Shan national schools will open this coming academic year.