Final-Edition

2.1.4 Perceptions of education
Finally, WCRP’s research also linked livelihood difficulties to community perceptions of
education’s value.
i. Lacking value of education completion
Overall, 12 interviews suggested that members of the community did not value education
completion. In particular, two school Principals, one teacher and a doctor made some strong
comments about parents failing to understand or lacking knowledge about the importance of
education. This was considered to play a key part in dropout. Various interviewees gave the
opinion that dropout could not be combatted unless parents, in collaboration with teachers,
worked harder to encourage children to continue their education. Daw Khant Khant Chaw,
Principal of the Basic Education Primary School in Kwin Shay village, Ye Township, asserted, “If
parents wish for their child to study it really depends on them; they must encourage them”. 84
ii.
Effects of poverty on community perceptions
Largely, though not exclusively, perceptions of education as lacking value appeared to stem
from poverty. As Daw Sandar Myint, a teacher from Alae Sakhan village, noted, “[Villagers]
are poor. They are so focused on their daily expenses. That is why they cannot pay much
attention to education”. 85 With survival a predominant concern, parents were asserted to
believe that education was not a necessity. Daw Lay Lay Myint, Principal of Lae Gyi village’s
Mixed Primary School, commented, “Most parents in this village believe that you can survive
even if you are not educated. [They believe that] it is enough if you can read a little”. 86
Crucially, in the context of widespread poverty, interviews showed that the value of education
was often placed in opposition to possibilities for children to join the workforce; a competition
which education often lost. Mi Dar, a parent from Koh Ann Htaw village, Kyar In Seik Kyi
Township, said, “For me, I think it’s enough for my children to complete around Standard 7. If
we work we will get money”. 87 Similarly, Mi Yu Yu Lwin, wife of Saryar Mon village’s Chairman,
84
WCRP Interview No. 48, Kwin Shay village, Ye Township, 08/11/14.
85
WCRP Interview No. 82, Alae Sakhan village, Yebyu Township, 12/11/14.
86
WCRP Interview No. 75, Lae Gyi village, Yebyu Township, 10/11/14.
87
WCRP Interview No. 14, Koh Ann Htaw village, Kyainnseikyi Township, 02/11/14.
43 Inaccessible and Under-Resourced