Title: An assessment of the needs for higher education of Karen refugees along the Thai-Myanmar border: a case of Nu Po Camp
Author: Aranya Kengkunchorn
Year: 2006
Keywords: N/A
Theme: Health
Advisor(s): Pornpimol Trichot
The full thesis available here.
Abstract: Education is as crucial for refugees as basic physical needs such as food, water, shelter, and healthcare services. Education is a process that enhances the knowledge, skills, and moral values necessary for the survival and improvement of the quality of life of refugees, who must adapt to changing environments from their country of origin to the host country. In the case of ethnic conflict and human rights abuses in Myanmar, many people have fled the country, becoming refugees and displaced persons in neighboring countries. Since the 1980s, Thailand has hosted hundreds of thousands of refugees from Myanmar. Currently, there are nine refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border. This research analyzes the educational challenges faced by refugees, assessing the quality of education currently available in refugee camps and their opportunities to access higher education outside the camps. Furthermore, the research explores the structures and policies of partner organizations, such as NGOs, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Thai government, regarding higher education opportunities for Karen refugees. The results of this study are derived from both quantitative and qualitative research, using relevant document analysis and field data collection. Document analysis provided a review of existing theories and concepts, while field data collection... The researchers conducted in-depth interviews and discussions with stakeholders using a set of questions, as well as observation and reviewing documents produced by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Key informants for this study included Karen refugees in camps, representatives from community organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Education. The research indicates that while primary, secondary, and post-secondary education is currently provided to refugees by the Karen Education Department (KED) and NGOs, the study highlights a need for higher education for their future development. The current refugee education system does not adequately meet the needs of Karen refugees should they return to their country of origin, Myanmar. Access to higher education depends on the cooperation and assistance of key partner organizations such as NGOs, community organizations, and the Thai government. The study highlights the necessity for the international community, NGOs, and the Thai government to recognize the importance of access to higher education for refugees and to improve the quality of existing curricula. The role of the international community is crucial in creating opportunities for refugees and promoting their right to higher education. As well as the freedom of choice of educational path for the Karen people within the refugee camps. Education for refugees is almost as important as meeting their physical needs for food, water, shelter and health. Refugee education is the process of providing knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary for survival, improving their quality of life, adaptating to their changing world, and preparing for eventual return to their country. Ethnic conflict and human rights violations in Burma have created mass outflows of refugees, internally displaced people and migrants to neighboring countries. Thailand has received hundreds of thousands of Burmese refugees since the mid 1980s. Currently there are 9 Burmese refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border. This study looks at the scale of the problem, assessment for existing education and quality, and the range of higher education opportunities that are potentially available for refugees outside the camp. In addition, the paper investigates the systems and policies of NGOs, UNHCR and the Royal Thai Government with regard to the higher educational opportunities of Karen refugees. This study is derived from quantitative and qualitative research, using a combination of documentary research and field data collection. Within the documentary research, theoretical data are collected through a review of the existing literature, field data was collected through in-depth interviews, group discussions, questionnaires observations and as well as reviewing existing information published by NGOs. The key informants including in this study were Karen refugees in the camp, CBOs, NGOs, institutions, the Ministry Of Interior (MOI) and Ministry Of Education (MOE). The study reveals that there is basic education, such as primary, secondary and post secondary levels, available in the refugee camps. The Karen Education Department (KED) and NGOs are responsible for education management. This study shows that there is a need for higher education to be accessible to the refugees for their future development. The study shows that the current education system does not meet the needs of the Karen refugees and is not very helpful for when they go back to Burma. Higher education can be accessed only with the cooperation and assistance of NGOs, CBOs and RTG. There is a stated need for the international community, NGOs and the Royal Thai Government to increase awareness about higher education for refugees, as well as the extend the provision of current education quality to the refugees. This study also looks at the role of the international community in ensuring comprehensive provision of higher education for all refugees, and refugees' right to higher education and freedom to choose education throughout the Karen refugee camps.
