What is Run Free Education ??
Run Free Education (RFE) is a non-profit educational initiative based in Myanmar. It provides free learning opportunities for students and professional development programs for teachers, aiming to reduce educational inequality. The initiative operates primarily through volunteers and emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, and community ownership.
History
un Free Education was founded in April 2020 by Htet Kaung Thant Oo, a Myanmar educator and social activist, at a time when many students had lost access to schools and private tuition.
The initiative was publicly launched in May 2021, during Myanmar’s worsening political situation, when most youth and communities had lost access to education and the opportunity to pursue their dreams. At that point, the founder officially announced that all people in Myanmar could freely access education through Run Free Education.
The program began with small groups of volunteer teachers offering art, language, and business courses, along with supplementary lessons for high school students. As the network expanded, it introduced structured online classes, a broader range of subjects, and professional training programs for teachers. Over time, Run Free Education developed into one of Myanmar’s largest volunteer-based education movements, recognized for combining both digital platforms and community-driven approaches to learning.
Objectives
Run Free Education’s core objectives are to:
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Provide free educational resources and courses to students at different levels.
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Empower teachers through training, mentorship, and professional development.
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Foster a collaborative, community-driven learning environment.
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Maintain transparency, inclusivity, and non-commercialization in all operations.
Structure and Operations
The organization is coordinated by a Council of Educators and Volunteer Administrators with collective decision-making. Responsibilities are distributed across several departments:
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Teaching & Curriculum – Organizes classes, subjects, and lesson materials.
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HR & Training – Recruits volunteer teachers and provides professional workshops.
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Community & Media – Handles outreach, communication, and public awareness.
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Research & Development – Designs innovative educational methods and digital tools.
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Finance & Operations – Oversees resources, donations, and accountability.
All online groups, social media pages, and offline community projects under RFE must follow strict rules, avoiding unrelated promotions and protecting the reputation of the initiative.
Subjects and Departments
Run Free Education offers a wide range of free educational programs across multiple departments, covering both academic and vocational disciplines:
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Art Department – Anime, drawing, cartooning, painting, and video editing.
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Music & Dance Department – Vocal training, guitar, piano, violin, songwriting, instrumental practice, music theory, as well as dance styles such as hip hop, K-pop, freestyle, and jazz.
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Economic Department – LCCI accounting, HRM, marketing, leadership, coaching, and food & beverage (F&B) management.
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IT Department – Programming, web development, graphic design, Excel, and Photoshop.
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Engineering Department – AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and steel structure design.
Basic Education Department – GSE (Government School Education,Kg+12) and GED (General Educational Development) programs.
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Language Department –
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Myanmar languages (Kachin, Karen, Rakhine, etc.)
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English (IELTS, TOEFL, IGCSE)
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Chinese (HSK 1–6)
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Japanese (Basic to N1)
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Korean (Yonsei, Sejong, Funfun programs, Levels 1–6)
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Foreign languages (Italian, German, French, Russian)
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Thai (Basic to Level 3)
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Sign Language
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Law Department – Introductory programs on law
Health Care Department – Introductory programs on medical knowledge.
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Green Department – Crochet, embroidery, fashion, crafts, and skincare.
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Vocational Department – Cooking, bakery, sewing, juice-making, and sushi preparation, F&B,
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Sport Department – Taekwondo, yoga, chess, and diet/fitness.
Programs and Activities
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Volunteer Teaching – Free online and offline classes provided by qualified teachers.
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Skill Development – Pedagogical workshops and digital tool training for educators.
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Community Outreach – Awareness campaigns and learning projects for underserved areas.
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Digital Learning – Distribution of free resources through online platforms and social media.
Funding and Finances
RFE operates on a non-profit model. It does not charge tuition fees or allow commercial use of its channels. Its sustainability relies on:
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Volunteer contributions of time, knowledge and expertise.
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Transparent, non-commercial management rooted in volunteer networks.
A strict policy of funding and finance, prohibiting any support or donation.
Recognition and Impact
Run Free Education is widely recognized among Myanmar students and young learners for its commitment to accessible, inclusive, and community-driven education. It has strengthened teacher capacity, provided free resources to thousands of students, and built a reputation as one of Myanmar’s largest volunteer-based education initiatives.
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