COVID-19 Home-Based Learning

Build Back Better episode #6 interviews with Saw Htoo K’ Por from Karen Refugee Committee Education Entity (KRCEE) to learn more about their response for refugees in the wake of covid-19. KRCEE administers both basic and higher education to over 17,000 refugee children located in 7 temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar Border. KRCEE supports and trains over 800 teachers to be able to deliver quality education to refugee children despite having low resources and being situated in remote contexts. [In this July 2020 interview, TeacherFOCUS and Saw Htoo K’ Por discussed Home-Based Learning in the refugee camps, but there have been updates in education for the current COVID-19 situation as of August 2020. At the current time, there is no more home-based learning in camp education, as most schools are operating on a rotational schedule and some schools have returned to a regular schedule. BEST/PREPS project has provided hand-washing stations in the camps. While this information from the video has changed, the financial challenges facing KRCEE remain the same.] Karen Refugee Committee Education Entity (KRCEE)

Build Back Better episode #7 interviews Dr. Cynthia Maung, the founder of the @Mae Tao Clinic. For the past 30 years Dr. Cynthia and the Mae Tao Clinic have worked to provide essential health services to over a million marginalized people from Burma. She details what is needed to continue to keep the migrant population safe and healthy in the wake of COVID-19. Dr. Cynthia also shares her recommendations to keep migrant children engaged in learning through this incredibly challenging time.

Build Back Better Episode #5 interviews Siraporn Kaewsombat, the Director of Help Without Frontiers Foundation Thailand (HwF) to learn more about their Emergency Food Relief Program. Ann has been managing and leading HwF for the last 14 years where she sits on multiple national advocacy platforms as a champion for the inclusion of migrant children. Most recently, HwF has been working to provide essential food for migrant families living on the Thai-Burma border. HwF is currently supporting over 1,261 families in 3 districts that have been specifically impacted in the wake of Covid-19.

Build Back Better episode #4 interviews Katie Fisher, Tint Zaw Linn and Yoon Thiri from the Marist Asia Foundation (MAF) to learn more about their Home-Based Learning Program. Since 2006 MAF has provided health and education programs to support for Burmese migrant families in Ranong Province in the southern part of Thailand. Through their Thai Non-Formal Education (NFE), English and computer training and a joint program with Australian Catholic University (ACU), MAF works to provide educational critically needed for migrant youth to access meaningful and dignified work opportunities.

Build Back Better episode #1 interviews Dr. Ashley Clayton Hertz's previous experience in education following the Ebola outbreak. In this episode, safe school practices are presented as a guide for education leaders as they prepare to reopen schools. During this challenging time for education in light of COVID-19, looking to past best practices in the midst of education emergencies is vital.

Build Back Better episode #2 interviews Ichiro Myazawa, the Programme Specialist on Literacy and Flexible Learning Strategies at UNESCO Thailand. In the interview, Ichiro speaks to challenges faced in education during this time of pandemic. He gives recommendations for inclusive solutions in education, especially in regards to migrant and refugee education.

Build Back Better episode #3 interviews Dr. Kirk Person, a senior consultant for Literacy and Education at SIL International. In the interview, Dr. Pearson focuses on inclusive education, discussing how to include students require more attention and extra support in order to access resources. This video provides educators in the time of pandemic with practical ideas for inclusive education.