The educational crisis in Myanmar: The European Union and CESVI together to secure a future for children in emergencies

For years, Myanmar has been affected by a devastating humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the floods caused by Typhoon Yagi last September and the ongoing escalation of internal conflicts. The typhoon caused severe damage to infrastructure, including numerous school buildings, disrupting education for around 300,000 children. Added to this are health risks, such as diarrhoea, dengue, and malaria, which threaten the health of thousands of children and worsen their already precarious living conditions, marked by a lack of clean water and adequate sanitation facilities.

This crisis has had a profound impact on the education sector, with many schools either closed or converted into shelters for displaced persons. Ongoing armed conflicts have worsened the situation: attacks on schools and the fear of reprisals prevent many children from accessing safe education. Furthermore, in particularly unstable areas, up to 80% of children do not attend school regularly, leading to significant educational gaps and increasing the risk of school dropouts.

To address these challenges, CESVI, with the support of the European Union, launched the Co-LEARNS project. This intervention aims to provide quality emergency education for children who would otherwise be excluded from formal schooling. The emergency learning centres, created and rehabilitated through the project, offer safe spaces where children can continue studying fundamental subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics. The project also includes extracurricular activities such as art, music, and sports, which are essential for the children’s psychosocial well-being.

So far, the Co-LEARNS project has reached over 6,600 children and rehabilitated 73 educational centres, equipping them with essential learning materials and tablets to facilitate offline learning. Additionally, 100 tutors have been trained to adapt their teaching methods to the emergency context and respond to the specific needs of the children. These educators have been provided with teaching kits, which include tools useful for instructing in crisis situations.

A distinctive feature of the project is the strong psychosocial support integrated into educational activities. Group and individual sessions have been organised for children and their families, aimed at providing stress management strategies and building resilience. Through therapeutic play activities, children can process their traumas in a safe environment, supported by trained counsellors.

Looking ahead, the European Union and CESVI have renewed their commitment to supporting the population by strengthening the intervention through the rehabilitation of additional learning centres and the training of more educators to ensure consistent support for affected communities. The project also includes the reinforcement of Village Education Committees (VECs), involving local community members in the management of centres and supervision of activities. This way, the European Union and CESVI not only aim to promote education but also foster a sense of ownership and long-term sustainability for the project.

Future activities include distributing educational kits to new beneficiaries and integrating mental health and child protection education content. Feedback systems will be implemented to monitor the effectiveness of activities and ensure that the needs of children and their families are heard and met. Additionally, awareness campaigns within communities will promote understanding of the risks of child labour and child protection practices.

In a context where access to education is severely limited, interventions like Co-LEARNS are essential to guarantee the right to education for the children of Myanmar. CESVI and the European Union will continue working to ensure that every child can receive safe, quality education, even in the most challenging situations. Investing in education means investing in the future of these children, giving them the chance to build a better life: every child deserves a future, and together, we can ensure that no one is left behind.

Photo credits: © Gianfranco Ferraro and © CESVI