Myanmar Military Strikes 34 Schools in Karen Territory over Two Years

Myanmar’s military regime has deliberately targeted and destroyed 34 schools in Karen National Union territory over the past two years, according to the group’s education department. The attacks, which spanned from September 2024 to September 2026, resulted in the deaths of 33 educators and students while injuring 74 others, marking a significant escalation in violence against civilian infrastructure.

The Karen Education and Culture Department stated that these strikes were not incidental but part of a sustained campaign across all seven districts of KNU-controlled territory. As reported by GN geopolitics/coup, the systematic nature of the destruction highlights a stark contradiction between the junta’s public diplomatic engagements and its operational conduct on the ground.

Systematic strikes across seven districts

Saw Thaw Thi, the communications and advocacy officer for the KECD, noted that while 34 distinct schools were recorded as attacked, several locations were targeted repeatedly. The department described the methods used, including repeated airstrikes and artillery shelling, which were directed at areas where students typically gather. This pattern suggests a deliberate strategy to disrupt educational continuity rather than a response to specific military threats.

Contradiction with Safe Schools Declaration

The intensity of the violence has surged following the KNU’s signing of the international Safe Schools Declaration in September 2024. This commitment was designed to safeguard educational infrastructure during armed conflict, yet the KECD reports a marked increase in military strikes targeting schools in the two years following the pledge. The organization argues that the regime’s actions directly undermine its stated objectives of seeking peace.

Global context of educational attacks

These findings align with a 2026 report by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, which documented a 50 percent global increase in attacks on educational institutions over the same period. Myanmar is cited among the countries with the highest casualty rates, indicating that the situation in Karen territory is part of a broader regional and international trend of endangering schools during conflict.

The KECD has called on the international community to take decisive action to hold the junta accountable for these violations. As the conflict continues to evolve, observers are watching for potential diplomatic responses and whether international bodies will implement measures to protect remaining educational facilities in the region.