Introduction

Help Without Frontiers Thailand Foundation (HWF) supports children and youth from Myanmar living in Thailand - in particular by linking them with relevant opportunities for education and training.

Thailand’s 2005 Cabinet Resolution on Educational Provision for Persons without Legal Status or Thai Citizenship reaffirmed its commitment to Education For All - guaranteeing 15 years of free education to all children in Thailand, regardless of nationality or documentation status. Since then, enrolment of migrant and stateless children into Thai public schools has indeed increased. However, barriers to enrolment remain at the ground level, concerning language, discrimination, and costs that migrant workers struggle to cover.

A key alternative is Migrant Learning Centres (MLCs) - community-based learning spaces that teach in Myanmar languages. However, these MLCs face their own difficulties in security and accreditation, and capacity for new enrolments has become extremely limited due to increased cross-border movements since the 2021 Myanmar military coup.

Why It Matters

The Challenge

Migrant and stateless children in Thailand face significant barriers to education.

No Accreditation: Migrant Learning Centres (MLCs) lost Myanmar Ministry of Education ties after the 2021 coup and remain unrecognized.

No Pathways: Without accredited credentials, children struggle to pursue higher education or decent jobs.

Persistent Barriers: Language, legal status, and financial hardship prevent access to Thai public schools.

Rising Demand: Myanmar’s ongoing conflict has increased migration, straining already limited education options.

Insecurity & Marginalization: Severed systems leave communities vulnerable and excluded.

The Rays of Hope School

The Rays of Hope school is designed as a best practice alternative to achieving education for all – especially for the most vulnerable children along the border. Built on local community support and using eco-friendly designs, the school will provide learning space for essential primary level education for up to 560 students.

As a registered Thai school, Rays of Hope will benefit from financial support from the Thai government, and along with the collection of minimal school fees, will become self-sustainable within four years.

Using a hybrid curriculum that includes vocational training and multilingual education, the school will welcome both Myanmar and Thai children, fostering cooperation and social integration. In addition, this curriculum will provide students with an accredited education, crucial for opening future doors to higher education and safe and secure employment.

Construction of the school is divided into four Phases – each one is listed in this catalogue with mapping, renderings and budgets for each building.