Students outside their school in Sittwe, capital of Rakhine state, on June 1 to start a new term
Save the Children says 103 schools and other education facilities attacked in May as coup-triggered chaos continues.
Some 103 schools and other education facilities were attacked in May, new data from Save the Children reveals, amid growing concern that the students’ safety could be at risk amid the continuing turmoil following the military’s February 1 coup.
The child rights organisation said improvised explosive devices and hand grenades were used in the vast majority of attacks.
“Save the Children is appalled by these attacks, which not only put the lives of children in danger, but also further compromise what is already a disastrous situation when it comes to children’s learning in Myanmar,” it said in a statement.
“Schools are protected places of learning for children that must be free from attacks at all times. Attacks on schools constitute a grave violation against children, and no school should be deliberately targeted.
The coronavirus pandemic had already deprived children in Myanmar of months of schooling when army chief Min Aung Hlaing seized power in a coup on February 1, arresting elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and senior members of her government.
Since then, thousands have taken to the streets in protest, with the military using force to crack down on those opposed to its rule. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says at least 860 people have been killed and nearly 5,000 people are in custody.
During previous periods of military rule, the generals shut down universities and, since February 1, the armed forces have occupied dozens of schools and university campuses across the country. Thousands of teachers who joined the civil disobedience movement have been sacked.
While schools have been set on fire or bombed, it remains unclear who is behind the attacks. The military blames the anti-coup movement, but resistance fighters told independent media in Myanmar that they only target the military and would not harm civilians.
UNICEF has also noted an “increase in the number of explosions at schools, education facilities and offices” in recent weeks.
“Violence in or around schools is never acceptable,” the UN agency’s Myanmar office said in a Facebook statement on June 3. “Schools and other education facilities must be protected from conflict and unrest. Attacks on places of learning and education staff and the occupation of education facilities are violations of children’s rights.”
Armed soldiers in schools
Children in government schools began to return to their classrooms at the beginning of the month, but many youngsters have been too frightened to go.
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