Current Issues in Refugee Education

Hopes

—“From the beginning I was moved by the faith and dignity of the refugees I met, their determination to get on with their lives as best as they could, and their apparent belief that somehow, someday, justice would be done.”
—Jack Dunford, Executive Director of TBC 1984-2012

Life in the Camps

Although Burmese refugees in Thailand often have traumatic background and challenging circumstances to overcome, they make significant effort to maintain dignity and hope in the camp communities. Despite severe restrictions and depressive realities, refugees strive to remain active and to maintain their cultural traditions through practices such as teaching ethnic nationality languages and dances. People marry and have children, play sports, and organize festivals and other celebrations. Despite the devastating reality, life goes on. Thousands of people of Burma have come to consider these enclosed areas as their homes, trying to lead their lives as the best they can.
 

Life Outside the Camps

Since 2012, ceasefires were achieved between Burmese government and main non-state armed groups, which contributes to an increase in security. 

Although the consensus is that conditions are not yet conducive for refugees to return, there are  significant concerns that camps could be closed and refugees repatriated before they can do so with a sense of dignity and hope. In recent years, even TBC has changed their focus to preparedness for refugee and IDP return (TBC, 2013a, 2014a). Talks about repatriation coupled with reduced aid and increased restrictions have caused anxiety and uncertainty among the refugees who do not feel safe returning to their homeland. Despite the positive change that has emerged during the past years, much more needs to be done before refugees can safely return to Burma yet no one knows when the refugees will have to go back and whether they can do so voluntarily. 
 ​Resettlement is the transfer of refugees from an asylum country to another State that has agreed to admit them and ultimately grant them permanent settlement. Only a small number of States take part in UNHCR's resettlement program. The United States is the world's top resettlement country, while Australia, Canada and the Nordic countries also provide a sizable number of places annually. 

I need to study more diligently because I will pursue my study in the USA.
— Paw Wah Shee, a school girl 

I wish I can immigrant to another country and continue my study there. 
—Keh De Ter, a school boy

Thai authorities allowed refugees to register with the UNHCR, and all registered refugees are eligible for resettlement to third countries. In June 2014, 96,206 had been resettled, vast majority (75%) of them to the US, followed by Australia, Canada, Finland, and Norway (TBC, 2014a). Departures for resettlement have declined each year since 2008, mainly because the majority of those who were able to register in 2004 and 2005 have already left. The group settlement program to the US has now closed, but a significant number remain in the pipeline and are expected to depart in 2015 (TBC, 2014).

Although there are many factors influencing their resettlement to a third country. But for many of them, it means freedom, education, health, dream and hopes. 
 

There are many things remain to be done. But it is just the beginning of their dreams...

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