Перейти к основному содержанию

In school, in society: Early childhood development in Myanmar migrant communities in Thailand

Страны
Таиланд
+ 1
Источники
VSO
Дата публикации
Происхождение
Просмотреть оригинал

Executive Summary

There has been an influx of migration into Thailand from neighbouring Myanmar over the last 20 years, often to take up what are locally referred to as ‘3D’ jobs (dirty, dangerous and demanding). These working conditions have a direct impact on the development of young children as they live in precarious environments.

The Royal Thai Government has committed to the Education for All (EFA) goals. A 2005 cabinet resolution also extended the right to education for all children in Thailand regardless of their legal status. The official education data indicates that Thailand has made significant progress in increasing access to and quality of early childhood and basic education. For example, the Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) in pre-primary education in 2010 was 93% and Gender Parity Index (GPI) was 1.01 suggesting parity between genders (UNESCO, 2012: 335). In spite of good progress, those who still lack access are children from marginalised groups; a disproportionate number of these children are migrants.

Lacking social protection and legal status, migrant children represent one of the most disadvantaged groups in Thailand when it comes to Early Childhood Development (ECD), as local implementation of policies allowing these children to access their rights remains uneven.

Taking a child’s rights and holistic approach to ECD, this report presents the views of parents, child carers, health workers and teachers as well as employers and government workers on access to ECD provision in 16 migrant communities in four provinces namely Bangkok, Tak (Mae Sot), Phang Nga and Ranong in Thailand.

A number of barriers have meant that parents are afraid to approach state-run services such as schools and hospitals; instead relying on services provided by local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs). Many parents do not speak Thai, are without legal documents and fear discrimination. Low incomes, vulnerability and lack of awareness of these services have hence led to young children in migrant populations becoming trapped in a cycle of poverty. The report makes some recommendations to all stakeholders.