The UN refugee agency has welcomed a decision by Thailand to provide education services to an estimated 140,000 refugees from Burma living in camps in Thailand.
The regional representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees says the education in Thai, English and vocational skills will make a real and substantial difference to the refugees.
The Thai education ministry announced last week it was drafting plans to provide education to the refugees in nine government-run camps along the country's border with Burma. The UNHCR said it has been talking with Thailand about education plans since April.
Currently, refugee children in the camps are taught by volunteer teachers, but the curriculum has been limited and there have been few resources.
