Childhood and education in Thailand-Burma/Myanmar Border Refugees camps

Abstract

This article examines the childhood of those living inside refugee camps on the Thailand-Burma border, focusing specifically on education. Both quantitative and qualitative data are used. The article integrates objective research from international and national literature and subjective information collected through interviews with refugees and foreign workers from the camps. It gives a brief overview of the camps’ demographic, an in-depth description of education for refugees and looks at general perceptions of childhood. The findings reveal that despite violations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), young people still retain hope of a better future. However, this hope is largely maintained by the strong presence of and over-reliance upon international non-governmental organisations. The article concludes with suggestions for improvement.