By Sowirin Chuanprapun and Piyawan Suwattanathum
Migrant families and students who face social and economic upheaval are among the most vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic.
In many cases, the loss of employment or legal residency has forced dislocation from host countries at a time when travel is difficult and potentially hazardous.
In addition to the public health risk, migrant students are also being deprived of their right to education with potential long-term consequences for their futures and also regional sustainable development.
Thailand has been a major migrant destination for decades, hosting several million economic migrants. Their children and relatives attend Thai schools with about 164,000 non-Thai students in the school system.
The country can provide a model across the region if the situation is addressed correctly.
Thailand’s landmark 2005 Cabinet Resolution on Education for Unregistered Persons guarantees “all children, regardless of their nationalities or legal status, have the right to 15 years of free basic education”.
Yet the coronavirus outbreak exposes how vulnerable lower-income migrant families can be to social disruption. The physical distancing measures recommended to limit the spread of the virus are for many migrant and low-income families almost impossible to maintain.
“The concerning point for migrant parents and students is awareness of the COVID virus,” said Yaninee Khamkiree, Managing Director of Foundation for Rural Youth (FRY), which operates a network of learning centres in Thailand catering for migrant students.
“Most of them work in local markets that are crowded and they do not wear masks or use alcohol gel. Factory workers are continuing their daily jobs as usual because factories in Samut Sakorn province are still open and parents cannot stop working because they have to earn a daily income.”
As part of its outreach, FRY has repurposed funds designated for health awareness meetings to distribute protective materials such as masks, sanitizing gel and information packets to migrant communities. Health education begins with students at the learning centres, but the foundation also conducts field visits to visit parents.
With the March closures of schools and migrant learning centres in Thailand, educators also lost a crucial line of communication with some students and their families.
Pongsakorn Tongkom, Director of the Educational Promotion Unit & Migrant Education Coordination Centre (MECC) in Tak province, is particularly concerned about what will happen when students return to school and how enrolment will be conducted.
“We are not so sure about the situation of the migrant students who have returned to Myanmar, whether they will take any protective measures against the virus,” Mr Pongsakorn said. “We currently have no official statistics on how many children have returned to Myanmar. My concern is for when they come back to Thailand.”
Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these communities, particularly families whose parents are engaged in irregular work, were already vulnerable to income shocks, discrimination and marginalisation. With the displacement experienced by many families under current circumstances, many migrant children and youth face further risks including exploitation and potential sexual abuse.
Those challenges are on top of what is being experienced by every sector of society. The public health situation is compounded by pervasive socioeconomic turmoil, in which many workers and their families face potential job losses, distancing from friends and loved ones, and uncertainty and anxiety about the future.
All of these problems are compounded by the swell of disinformation breaking across social media about the virus, possible health measures and other rumours.
For migrants that do not speak the national language fluently, the lack of information can be a problem. “I am concerned about fake news of COVID during this time,” Ms Yaninee said. “Parents and students’ attitudes towards COVID are that this is not a serious situation. Some believed that hot tea will kill the virus, so they will not become infected.”
There needs to a broader realisation across society that the welfare and education of vulnerable people, not just migrants, but low-income groups as well, is critical to all during this pandemic.
Thailand’s commitment to universal education should be a model for the entire region but there needs to be clearer gaurantees and guidelines from the government about the future in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
Continuing education during and after the pandemic is crucial for the future of these young learners, the health of their communities and the greater welfare of the countries in which they live.
Sowirin Chuanprapun is Project Officer and Piyawan Suwattanathum is Programme Assistant in the Literacy and Non-Formal Education unit of UNESCO Bangkok