Education for Chin Children
Chin State is situated in the remote western hills of Burma and is home to a population of approximately 500,000 Chin people. Like many ethnic groups in Eastern and Western Burma the Chin people are persecuted by Burma’s harsh military regime. They are denied basic human rights and are subjected to extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrest, imprisonment, torture, rape, forced relocation and forced labour.
A further major disaster for these people is acute hunger caused by a biblical plague of rats that appear following the blossoming of bamboo; this happens every 50 years. When the bamboo produces avocado like fruits and seeds the rat population accelerates. The rodents often grow to an enormous size and can gnaw through wood floors, walls, storage and granaries, devouring everything in their wake. Burma’s military regime has ignored the plight of people affected by this invasion.
Many who are able have fled to Mizoram, India in the hope of finding a better life, especially for their children. However, without identity documents and even the smallest amount of money to support them, it is extremely difficult for the children to access any kind of education.
According to India’s 2001 census, Mizoram has 2,427 government schools, including primary, middle, and high schools and boasts an 88 percent literacy rate, the second highest in India. Despite the existence of quality educational institutions, few Chin are able to obtain an education in Mizoram.
Government schools require documents in order to register a child for school. For Chin children born in Burma, it is often difficult to obtain the necessary documentation. Even if Chin children are born in Mizoram, many lack the necessary documentation such as birth certificates.
Private schools are available to the Chin, and the admission requirements are not as restrictive. However, private schools tend to be prohibitively expensive particularly for Chin earning a typical salary of $1 to $2 a day. Private school tuition costs are around $60-$90 for one year’s instruction. Informal schools run by members of the Chin community have not been established in Mizoram, however some Chin community organizations such as the Chin Women’s Organisation have established scholarship programmes to assist with the costs associated in obtaining a private education in Mizoram.
£40 a year helps a child to be able to attend school. Children on the Edge has committed to supporting 150 such children. Funds are also required to help Children on the Edge develop a programme to work on integrating Chin children into State schools in India.
Zolawma's Story
Zolawma is a ten year old boy. His family fled Chin State, Burma when the Burmese government’s forced labour policies made it impossible for his family to survive. He now lives in Mizoram India with his widowed mother and his siblings.
Life in Mizoram has its own challenges. Zolawma’s mother cannot find regular work and she often does not have enough money for basic food. The family live in rented accommodation but there is no electricity or running water. Zolawma and his siblings are supported through the Chin Women’s Organisation’s School Scholarship Programme. His favourite subject is maths and he also enjoys reading and studying the Mizo language.
