Children of Myanmar refugees can now study in Mizoram schools

In a humanitarian gesture, the Mizoram government has decided that around 325 children of Myanmar refugees, currently taking shelter in Mizoram after fleeing the military coup, can now attend schools

In a humanitarian gesture, the Mizoram government has decided that around 325 children of Myanmar refugees, currently taking shelter in Mizoram after fleeing the military coup, can now attend schools across various villages of the state.

Most of these children had crossed over to Mizoram with their parents to escape from the military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar.

The director of Mizoram School Education department has recently sent circulars to all the district education officers and sub divisional education officers to see to it that children of Myanmarese refugees in their areas attend schools or online classes like the local children.

The move comes following a meeting between Myanmar MPs, currently taking refuge in Mizoram and State Education Minister Lalchhandama Ralte in Aizawl in which they discussed the plight of the school-going kids taking shelter in Mizoram.

At the request of the Myanmar MPs, the State Education Minister agreed to make arrangements for refugee children’s continuation of school while in exile.

During the height of the influx, Mizoram has housed over 16,000 nationals, who were mainly from the Chin community in Myanmar, who share the same ancestry, culture and language. Of these, around 3,000 had returned to Myanmar, according to sources.

At least 24 Myanmarese legislators, including Chin State chief minister, are taking shelter in Mizoram since the February 1 military coup.

Meanwhile, schools have reopened since August in over 300 villages in Mizoram where there are no active COVID-19 cases.

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