Education Program

SAW High School - Kindergarten to Grade ten – 209 students

About the School

Many Burmese citizens are migrating and Working in Thailand illegally, due to economic crises, which is a direct consequence of political instability in Burma. Like their parents, the children are brought up insecurely and starving in Thailand. As the drug and child smuggling businesses are getting bigger, the children’s lives are getting worst. The children, growing up in such situations, are used and abused as drug couriers, prostitutes, beggars, or forced to get involved in other illegal businesses. Regardless of their status, legal or illegal, Burmese migrant workers and families are ineligible to have access to educational services existing in Thailand.

Taking the magnitude of above problem into consideration, SAW teachers went to the parents of students from Mae Taung, U paw, Hton Htaung , Ma Di Nar, Kwin Pai, Mae Sot Market and Ho Phai areas and explained about SAW’s Education Program in May 2005, in order to fulfill needs of the migrant children and to create more secured environment for those children. SAW has opened its school for the 2005-2006 schooling year with 176 Students in June 2005. Over 200 students enrolled the school but due to the limited capacity, school could only host student’s number of 176 from the Kindergarten to the 6^th standard. SAW Middle School hosted 230 students for the 2006-2007 schooling year.

In the 2007-2008 schooling year, SAW started operating the High School. There were 18 students from seven to nine standards. The High School plans to host 35 students from seven to ten standards on the 2008-2009 schooling year. There are one Thai language teacher and four teachers for other subjects at High school level. The school will try to get the volunteer for the high school level.

Goals for Opening the School

Ø To develop the children’s own language and learn about their culture.

Ø To receive an education and acquire knowledge that can be used in future Burma.

Ø To protect Burmese migrant children from drug addiction, sexual abuse, smuggling and to prevent from entering dangerous employments such as the sex and dreg trade.

Ø To promote and maintain physical, mental and social wellbeing, including the building of a strong character.

Curriculum for the High School

The curriculum for the High School level is roughly based on, state – run schools in Burma. For the 7^th and 8^th standard, the curriculum states as follows;

1. Burmese

2. English

3. Mathematics

4. History

5. Geography

6. Sciences

7. English Speaking

8. Thai language

9. Art

10. Physical Education

For the 9^th and 10^th standard, the curriculum is;

1. English
2. Mathematics
3. Physics
4. Chemistry
5. Biology
6. English Speaking
7. Thai language
8. Art
9. Physical Education

The subjects; Burmese, English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History are taken from the Burma’ national curriculum and the school adds other useful subjects; (Thai language, Art and Physical Education). Those are taken from other course.

The school will teach extra six months relating to the special subjects for the students who passed the 10^th standard to be able to get entrance for further education.

For the students who are not qualify for the further higher education, they will be helped in learning Thai language and other vocational skills, then they will be ready to go to the work-places.

A. SAW Pre-School - 46 children

Objectives

- To develop students' native language and learn about their culture

- To raise family income (their mothers can now find work outside of the home during the day)

- To increase childrens physical and mental development

- To help children learn how to be a good member of society

- To develop childrens intelligence and have better nutrition

Activities

- Teaching basic reading and writing

- Teaching songs, poems and dance

- Organizing games and drawing

- Conducting physical education (Sport activities)

- Providing health care and nutrition

Target

- Orphaned children, abandoned children and children of Burmese migrant workers in the Mae Sod area

Activities

- Providing an education and acquire knowledge

- Providing basic health care

- Holding ceremonies of Burmese historical days

- Teaching drawing, music and Thai language

- Physical education (Sports and games)

Target

- Orphaned and children of Burmese migrant parents in the Mae Sod area