Next Initiative
The Challenge: Implementing New Laws for Stateless
Recently-passed Thai laws grant all children, youth, and young adults equal access to schools and universities. This is great progress, but these laws have stumbled immediately, due to an overwhelming lack of implementation. Stateless parents and children have not been made aware of the changes; red tape and prejudice continue to prevent entrance; and the costs of school uniforms and books exceed what parents can afford. Military/police checkpoints continue to block freedom of movement.
There are also very practical "bricks & mortar" barriers. For example, Thai schools were built to accommodate Thai children. Many of these schools are at maximum capacity. The population of stateless children and youth has never been figured into the equation.
There are also very practical "bricks & mortar" barriers. For example, Thai schools were built to accommodate Thai children. Many of these schools are at maximum capacity. The population of stateless children and youth has never been figured into the equation.
Our Solution: Creating Access to Education for All
Using momentum gained from permissions granted through the "Higher Education as Humanitarian Aid" initiative, we must now push for access to education within Thailand itself.
From a United Nations (U.N.) meeting in Bangkok last August, an exciting new work partnership has emerged. The Thailand Project has joined forces with the Thai Committee for Refugees (TCR) to implement a strategic and sustainable solution. This project began after TCR engaged in discussions with administrators at the top level of the Royal Thai Govt. The Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education, and provincial and district authorities, along with Thai community leaders, came together in support.
From a United Nations (U.N.) meeting in Bangkok last August, an exciting new work partnership has emerged. The Thailand Project has joined forces with the Thai Committee for Refugees (TCR) to implement a strategic and sustainable solution. This project began after TCR engaged in discussions with administrators at the top level of the Royal Thai Govt. The Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education, and provincial and district authorities, along with Thai community leaders, came together in support.
The Pilot Program: Desegregating Schools within Thailand
Ban Rom Klao 4 School, located in the district of Phop Phra, will serve as the pilot location, accepting stateless and refugee children annually, on a desegregated basis, until the ratio of Thai and "non-Thai" students is equal (50:50). The school currently provides K-12 education to 489 students. The majority of the population in the service area is Hmong hill tribe, including Burmese immigrants and Karen ethnic group, but there are also many other ethnic minorities living in the area. Funding for the project will provide the school with extra classrooms, teachers, dormitories, and other facilities that will allow stateless and refugee students to be integrated into the existing school. The success of this strategic pilot program will pave a path towards replication and expansion for other Thai schools in the border regions where access to education for stateless children and youth is the most limited.
This project is in the planning stage and has not yet been funded. The projected budget to implement the 3-year pilot program at the Ban Rom Klao 4 School is: $359,520 (detailed budget information is included in the proposal below.) Official fundraising efforts will begin after the planning stage is complete. If you are interested in supporting this project, please e-mail: info@thethailandproject.org for further information.
Meet our partner:
Thai Committee for Refugees
www.thaiforrefugees.org/en
Formal Education as a Strategic Sustainable Solution - Proposal
Proposal By: Thai Committee for Refugees
