Access to digital education looks at how disparities in online education access flowing from the Covid-19 pandemic and the military coup continue to impact young people’s digital education access. The focus is on rural and conflict-affected areas, emphasizing their participation in civil disobedience and resistance.
By Gathering House Youth Empowerment Society
MYANMAR DIGITAL RESEARCH 06
Abstract
In Myanmar, the education sector faces disruption due to the pandemic and political turmoil, emphasizing the importance of digital education platforms for youth. However, socioeconomic barriers hinder access, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas. This study explores how these disadvantages impact young people’s digital education access during the pandemic and coup, focusing on their participation in civil disobedience. Through surveys and interviews with diverse youth engaged in the movement, challenges such as financial constraints, electricity and connectivity issues are highlighted. Furthermore, findings reveal the prevalence of security concerns and inadequate resources, including poor-quality devices and limited internet access. Despite limitations in representing the perspectives of those in conflict-affected areas, the study sheds light on Myanmar’s digital education landscape. Recommendations include targeted interventions to address disparities and foster collaboration for equitable education access.
Keywords: Access to digital education, Impacts of socio-economic disadvantages, Education of young people, Education in Myanmar, Educational Constraints
This Myanmar Digital Research paper was produced for the Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative, with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with support from The SecDev Foundation. Views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of either organization.
Over the next two years, twenty papers in the Myanmar Digital Research series will have researchers within and in the Myanmar diaspora exploring how the digital world is shaping their social, political and economic crisis, bringing new insights into issues facing Myanmar citizens. See below for others available now.