12 schools bombed in KNU territory this academic year

Kawthoolei, February (21)

The military council’s airstrikes and artillery shelling damaged 12 schools this academic year in KNU-held territory, the secretary of Karen Education and Culture Department (KECD) told Than Lwin Times.

The regime forces committed aerial bombardments and mortar attacks targeting civilians while fighting with KNLA/KNDO in the KNU’s Kawthoolei area.

The military council’s attacks damaged 12 schools this academic year, injuring students and teachers.

Regarding this situation, the secretary of the Karen Education and Culture Department (KECD), Padoh Saw Lae Emu said, “”We don’t have all the information, but as far as we know, the junta attacked the civilians with aircraft and heavy weapons. Some damages have occurred. The locals also fled the village, seeking refuge”.

Due to targeted attacks by the military council, students and teachers studying in the KNU’s Kawthoolei area have been forced to flee and find it difficult to continue teaching.

Padoh Saw Lae Emu went on to say that, “students who fled the military council’s attacks are suffering mental trauma. Students study in the jungle or in bomb shelters. There are also concerns about when the junta army will bomb them. The teachers face challenges with their food and living conditions.”

On the other hand, the military regime has carried out more targeted attacks on religious buildings, residential buildings, and schools, and the secretary of KECD, a department of the Karen National Union (KNU), condemned the attack.

There are more than 1,200 schools under the Karen Education and Culture Department (KECD), with more than 100,000 students.

According to the report of the Karen Information Centre, students were among those injured or killed due to the military council’s airstrikes and heavy weapons fire this January, but the exact number has not been reported.

Moreover, KNU said that in February, the military council’s air strike damaged residential buildings, including a school, in the area of KNU’ Brigade 5, Hpapun District.

News-Than Lwin Times