Development Ratings

Prospect Burma provides scholarships to gifted but needy students with a confirmed degree course place outside of Burma. Many are refugees who otherwise would not be able to study. No degree courses are excluded, but priority is given to subjects such as agriculture, public health, education, the environment, human rights, economics, and development as these will help to rebuild democracy in Burma. Scholars are required to sign a declaration that they are committed to return to Burma after their studies, although some may not be able to do so until the military regime is no longer in power. Subsequent to their studies, many of the scholars will be able to contribute skills that are unique within Burma.

91% of 2007 grants were for graduate level scholarships. 76% of these students are studying in India and Thailand, but others are located in the UK, the rest of Europe, the USA and Canada, Australia and South Africa. The male:female breakdown was 65%:35%. In 2008, around 185 scholarships will be awarded.

The balance of expenditure is used to support an English language school, computer classes, and a tailoring project, all in Delhi, and a project for training Burmese teachers in Thailand. These enable both young and elderly refugees to cope and be able to make a living in the neighbouring countries. Refugees unable to speak English in India are severely disadvantaged economically and socially. The courses help some to qualify for further education, including Prospect Burma scholarships. The charity pays for the bus fare to and from the language school, essentially something like 50p a day, which is apparently often actually used for food with the students instead walking to the school. Vocational training currently includes a new tailoring training programme, but has previously also included carpentry, computer training and animal husbandry.

Should democracy be reinstated in Burma, the country’s low capacity in the education sector could not be ‘turned around’ rapidly but Prospect experience here could be very valuable.