Global Playground Announces Opening of School in Myanmar

Global Playground is thrilled to announce the opening of our newest school! It is located in the village of Paw Myar in Nyaungshwe Township, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar. Twenty-six children will attend the school today, and in the future the school will accommodate forty students.

"Global Playground is thrilled for the children of Paw Myar," said Doug Bunch, Global Playground's Chairman. "Today they attended classes in the first permanent school ever to be built in the village. Mere months ago, they were going to school in a bamboo hut. We're proud to have been part of making their dream a reality." Global Playground partnered with the Global Community Service Foundation to build this project.

Public funding for education in Myanmar has decreased since its independence. A 2001 UNESCO study found that Myanmar spent just 1.3% of its GDP on education, ranking 164th out of 168 countries in the study. While Myanmar mandates five years of compulsory primary school for children ages 5-9, the country's enrollment rate at the primary level is around 85%. Only 75% of students who begin grade 1 will complete the last level of primary school, grade 5.

We’d like to think all of our supporters in this incredible endeavor. Stay updated on the progress of the school by signing up for our mailing list, liking us on Facebook, or following us on Twitter.