Abstract
Pekon Township has transitioned from a relatively stable region into a conflict zone following Myanmar’s 2021 military coup. Frequent clashes between the Myanmar military and armed resistance groups have displaced thousands of residents and led to the closure of state-run schools. As of November 2023, approximately 40,000 individuals had been displaced, and all state schools remained closed. Using a navigational framework, this study examines how parents sought to maintain their children’s educational access between 2021 and 2023 amid ongoing political turmoil. Drawing on twenty interviews with conflict-affected parents, educators, and education providers, as well as a review of relevant literature, the study highlights the role of parental agency in navigating crisis conditions. Parents relocated to safer areas, turned to homeschooling, or enrolled their children in community or monastic schools to ensure educational continuity. These efforts reflect parents’ conceptualisation of education as an emblem of resilience and a critical investment in their children’s futures despite formidable barriers such as security threats and economic hardship. The findings highlight the resilience of education in crisis contexts and offer critical insights for future policies and interventions aimed at supporting educational access in conflict-affected regions.
