- Background information of Hsa Thoo Lei Learning Centre

As a result of the civil war’s intensity, several villages were destroyed, forcing the villagers to flee to Thailand and take refuge in the Karen refugee camp. Some villagers had to become migrant workers.
In 1988, Myanmar faced a student strike that led to a social crisis due to the political situation, the location of its people, and their livelihoods. The military regime in Myanmar seized power, repressing the citizens and some ethnic groups. As a result, these groups had to flee to Thailand, near the border town, to find work and make a living.
Many ethnic groups from Burma and their families have fled to the border town of Mae Sot district on the Thai-Myanmar border due to several reasons.
When parents enter Thailand with their school-aged children, Thai public schools do not allow them to study in their schools. This is because they do not have the required documents according to Thai law, such as a birth certificate or household registration, and there are no guarantors to support them.
Children who are not allowed to receive an education are at a disadvantage. Due to a lack of schooling, they may struggle with basic reading and writing skills, which can lead to poverty. These children may turn to drug use and stealing, or become involved in child labor and cause disturbances in their communities. Bedbugs may also be a problem for some of these children.
Some children don’t attend school at the right age. Parents leave their young daughters at home while they go to work. Some children work as laborers with their parents. When children reach the age of schooling, some are unable to attend due to family responsibilities. Younger siblings are cared for while parents work. Others must work alongside their parents as labourers.
These children faced insecurity without proper protection and responsibility. At that time, they were sadly bought and sold through human trafficking, and there were also troubling drug deals involved.
In 1999, a school was established in Hua Fai Village, Mae Sot District with the aim of freeing children from the shackles of evil deeds. The school provided not only care and life security, but also basic education to the children. On October 9th of the same year, the Hsa Thoo Lei School was opened for this noble cause.
When the school was founded, there were 25 students and only one teacher. The founder is Tharamu Paw Ray. Currently, the school has improved with the addition of preschool, elementary, secondary, high and post-high school levels.
As Hsa Thoo Lei is a private school, this education policy is intended for use to align with the school’s educational policy.

Curriculum
Hsa Thoo Lei uses the Myanmar Curriculum from KG to Grade 9 (New) and the instruction language is Burmese. The subjects which the students have to learn are
- Burmese Language
- English Language
- Karen language
- Mathematic
- Science (Chemistry, Physics and Biology)
- Geography
- Thai Language
- Music and art

Teachers
Teachers from Hsa Thoo Lei Learning Center have many experiences in teaching and can control the classroom very well. They will also receive training every year as follows.
- Teaching Training
- Child Safeguarding (CSG) Training
- Teaching Subject – This is provided by Myanmar MOE and Organizations in Thailand who are working for migrant education.
