Dil Afrose Duetee :
Education is probably the most vital tool to change one’s life. Children have a right to learn and right to education will facilitate their development, growth and capability to build their future. This right does not limit in times of emergency. In fact, in the time of emergency, it is even more necessary that children who have escaped conflict and witnessed atrocities should have the learning opportunities. At the global level, UNHCR estimates that half of the 3.5 million refugee children of primary school-age do not go to school. Quality education is the anchor which may bring Rohingya refugee children of Bangladesh from the misery to hope and help them not to be a lost generation. Fortunately, Bangladesh government is conscious enough about the significance of education for Rohingya refugees and already taken many significant steps to ensure education for the Rohingya children during their stay in Bangladesh before repatriation.
Since the violence in Myanmar in 2017, displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar have resettled in two upazillas (sub-districts) of Cox’s Bazar District in Bangladesh. As of 31st July 2022, the district hosts 936,733 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. More than half of them are under the age of 18. It is estimated that more than half of the children have not participated in any form of learning prior to and since arriving in Bangladesh. It is crucial that Rohingya children are provided with adequate education to be empowered to contribute more to their community and build a brighter future. NGOs are doing great to support Bangladesh government to provide the basic education for Rohingya refugee children since their arrival. Under Cox’s Bazar Education management, global and local NGOs are providing education services for Rohingya Refugee children. Cox’s Bazar Education Sector is a coordinating body for the Rohingya Refugees in a Bangladesh district of Cox’s Bazar with the support of nearby host community. The body is aiming to strengthen accountability of the Education in Emergencies (EiE). The Education Sector (also known as the Education Cluster) is globally led by both UNICEF and Save the Children.
In 2018, Cox’s Bazar Education Sector developed “Learning Competency Framework and Approach (LCFA)” as an immediate measure for providing Rohingya children with a pathway to protective and relevant education given the camp context’s limitations. It consists of basic knowledge on Myanmar language, English, Math, Life skills and Science for learners aged 4-14. Though the LCFA has ensured Rohingya children access to education in the emergency phases of the crisis, it was not intended to supplement a formal curriculum, which is required to meet the long-term educational needs of Rohingya children. Also it is an absolute truth that one day Rohingya Refugees will return to their native land as Bangladesh Government is advocating at the international level for their return. In this fragile situation, Rohingya communities have expressed concern about their children’s future and demand for such an education system for their children which will allow an easier transition into the Myanmar education system, job market and society.
As the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees is being delayed due to some inevitable reasons, it is required to make a way forward to continue providing quality education services to them. In January 2020, Bangladesh government approved formal education of Rohingya community through Myanmar Curriculum (MC) in camps, thereby paving away to secure learners with recognized documentation of their learning as well as to equip them with the right skills and capacities for their future and return to Myanmar when the conditions allow. Covid-19 delayed the implementation of Myanmar Curriculum for Rohingya refugee children but eventually it is now implementing after a successful pilot. The Education Sector Cox’s Bazar gradually ensuring the transition from LCFA to Myanmar Curriculum for the sake of the better future of Rohingya refugee children. To make this happen, the Education Sector Cox’s Bazar is managing the placement tests of learners, capacity building of teachers and partner NGOs and even involving parents of learners to decrease the drop out of girl learners. Reallocated Rohingya refugee children of Bhasan Char is also following Myanmar Curriculum.
Education service for Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh not only gives them the opportunity to learn in the crisis period but also saves them from child protection concerns such as abuse, violence, neglect, child labor, child marriage, child trafficking, children being used for drug trafficking etc. There are more than 3000 NGO-led temporary learning centers in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char providing education to Rohingya refugee children and approximately most of these centers are also acting as safe places for the refugee children.
Bangladesh has set a great example of humanity by providing refuge to nearly one million Rohingya Myanmar nationals who fled a genocidal campaign led by the Myanmar military, and ensuring better education service for these refugee children during their stay in Bangladesh has made this example utterly meaningful. It is hoped that the education journey of Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh will make them capable to take control of their own future.
(The writer is a development activist).
