As part of a concerted effort to facilitate the integration of Burmese children to Thai schools, FED acts as a liaison among Burmese communities, Thai schools and the Thai Ministry of Education. Over two academic years May 2007 – March 2008 and May 2008- March 2009 GHRE has integrated 100 Burmese students into Thai high schools. This gives Thai and Burmese youth the opportunity to learn about each other’s culture, to form friendships and participate in activities together.

As part of a concerted effort to facilitate the integration of Burmese children to Thai schools, FED began to act as a liaison among Burmese communities, Thai schools, the Thai Ministry of Education, and other organizations such as UNICEF. Combating negative misconceptions and discrimination is often bet tackled with the younger generations through friendship building and cross cultural exchange. In 2007 GHRE-FED assisted the integration of approximately 50 children to 3 Thai schools in Khuk Khak sub district. In 2008 we integrated 40 more pupils. We never lose touch with the children or their families so we can monitor their progress and offer our constant support. The FED School Integration coordinator, Phi Eak, visits the staff at each Thai school at least once a week to monitor the students and evaluate the program. Monitoring of the project is carried out and assessed through school academic reports and feedback from the students, teachers and parents. Many of these students also attend after-school Burmese classes, provided by FED, so they do not lose their ability to read and write in their native language. Some of our integrated students are doing so well that they are exceeding the standards of even their most achieving Thai classmates. This not only demonstrates the children’s potential but also the quality of tuition that is provided at our learning centers prior to their entering Thai school.

FED supports the integration students practically and financially by providing transportation, uniforms, lunch and Burmese classes.