Migrant children's access to education in Thailand : a case study of Myanmar children in Samut Sakhon Province

Abstract

63,000 children from Myanmar who were under age 12, registered as migrants in July 2004 in Thailand though the number can be higher taking into account unregistered children. Most of the children are deprived of their needs, which are essential for their development in life. One of the most important needs for Myanmar migrant children lies in the area of education. The objective of the study was to assess the situation of Myanmar migrant children vis-a-vis education in Thailand and to identify the barriers to their education. The research was a qualitative case-study of Samut Sakhon Province that employed in-depth interviews and a structured document review. The main data were drawn from face-to-face interviews with Myanmar migrant children, their parents, principals from the schools, government officials in the education sector, and NGO staff members who help migrant children in the field of education. The study found out there are three types of education available for children of migrants in Samut Sakhon: 1) Schools in Myanmar, 2) Formal Thai schools, 3) Informal schools or migrant schools set up by NGOs or communiity organizations. It is estimated that 10 percent of migrant children go to Myamar for study. 9 to 18 percent enter Thai schools while 5 to 8 percent join informal migrant schools. The study identified barriers to migrant children’s education that are multi-layered and multi-faceted. They include household/community-level, school-level, and policy-and-system-level barriers. The research concluded that the situation of Myanmar migrant children regarding education is poor by general standard. It recommended that the implementation of 2005 Cabinet Resolution which provided education for all children in Thailand be carried out effectively and migrant schools be strengthened while NGOs can play a key role in both of these processes.