Myanmar’s Shadow Govt Operates Network of Schools in Resistance Strongholds

The Irrawaddy | 7 JUNE, 2022

In parts of Myanmar’s northwest and southeast, where anti-regime resistance has rendered the junta’s administration largely ineffective, students are back in class—but not at military government-run schools.

They instead go to community schools staffed by former government school teachers—locally known as “CDM teachers” for their participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), which was set up by state employees who refuse to work under the military government.

Most of the schools are under the guidance of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG), a parallel government set up by lawmakers from the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) and its ethnic allies in the wake of the military coup last year.

Students from primary to high school age in Sagaing Region, Magwe Region, Chin State, southern Shan State, Kayah State and Karen State are now attending the community schools supported by local well-wishers.