In the aftermath of the closure of schools in strife-torn Myanmar due to ongoing conflicts between the military junta and rebel forces, hundreds of school students have resumed their studies in India. Zokhawthar, the first village at the India-Myanmar border in Champhai district, Mizoram, has become a sanctuary for 400 Myanmar students who cross the border daily to attend classes. The closure of schools in Myanmar’s border villages, resulting from the intensification of conflicts, has led to increased enrollment in Indian schools near the border.
Francis Rammuanawma, the headmaster of St Joseph’s School in Zokhawthar, noted that before the military coup in 2021, only 10-15 students from Myanmar attended their school. However, the number has now surged to 400, reflecting the impact of the fighting on the education system in Myanmar.
Sixty-three students in a class of 702 make the daily journey from Myanmar to India for education. The students’ resilience in pursuing their studies despite the challenges posed by the conflict highlights the importance they place on education. Many of them have left their homes and familiar surroundings, facing uncertainties but determined to continue their education in India.
While the closure of schools in Myanmar has disrupted the normalcy of these students’ lives, it has also created opportunities for residents of Mizoram, who now teach students in various establishments near the border. The situation remains complex, with families displaced, students seeking education across borders, and local communities adapting to the evolving circumstances.
