A Historic First: Rohingya Refugees Form Unified Examination Board for Camp-Based Schools

53 Community-Led Schools Unite for Formal Education in Exile

By RO Maung Shwe | Cox’s Bazar | May 1, 2025

In a groundbreaking initiative, 53 Rohingya community-led schools based in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar have officially come together to form the Examination Board of Rohingya Refugees, marking a major leap toward structured, quality, and recognized education for Rohingya children living in exile.

Why This Matters

For years, Rohingya teachers and education leaders have struggled to provide consistent, curriculum-based learning in the face of displacement, limited resources, and the absence of a formal education framework. These challenges have long hindered the aspirations of Rohingya students—many of whom dream of pursuing higher education but lack accredited pathways.

Recognizing this urgent gap, the principals and representatives of 53 Rohingya community schools initiated multiple meetings and consultations over the past four months. Their united efforts led to the formation of a Temporary Education Committee on April 19, 2025, followed by the official establishment of a central examination board—for the first time in Rohingya refugee history in Bangladesh.

The Goals of the Examination Board

The newly formed Examination Board of Rohingya Refugees will:

• Systematically organize student examinations across camps
• Ensure fair grading and authentic certification
• Evaluate teaching effectiveness and student outcomes
• Set educational standards and ensure quality control
• Provide a unified identity for community-based schools

Although several attempts were made in previous years to create such a body, none had succeeded—primarily due to internal disunity, weak coordination, leadership gaps, and lack of a trust-based system. This year, however, the tide turned.

Leadership Behind the Initiative

Rohingya youth political leader Mr. Khin Maung, alongside a team of dedicated educators and community leaders, played a crucial role in organizing school meetings and gaining consensus. By fostering unity among principals and school representatives, they successfully laid the foundation for this historic education platform.

Formation of the Temporary Education Committee

To guide the new board’s establishment and operations, a Temporary Education Committee was formed. From within this group, three respected Rohingya educators were nominated and elected:

• Chairman: Mr. Ahesanul Hoque – A graduate of Sittway University, former principal of Life Destination High School (Camp-6).
• Vice Chairman: Mr. Mohammad Foyaz – Also a Sittway University graduate, currently Acting Principal at Wisdom Tree High School (Camp-1W).
• Vice Chairman: Mr. Mohammad Amin – Another graduate of Sittway University, currently Acting Principal of Education Goal High School (Camp-15).

Selections were made transparently, based on educational background, teaching experience, and leadership ability—without any bias or discrimination.

Voices of Hope: What Students Are Saying

Mohammed Younus, a Grade 12 student at Life Destination High School (Camp-6), expressed renewed hope:

“I always dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but being a refugee made that impossible. Now, with this examination board, we may finally receive recognition. If accepted globally, we might even access higher education in countries like the UK, Turkey, Malaysia, or America.”

Hossain Mubarak, studying at Wisdom Tree High School (Camp-1W), added:

“We already received our first hope when these community schools were formed. The establishment of the exam board is our second hope. Together, they can change our future.”

Mohammed Anuwar, a recent graduate, said:

“I just missed the board exam by one year. But I’m still proud it happened. There are many bright students among us. They deserve recognition and opportunity.”

Educators and Leaders React

Syedul Mostafa, the first motivational speaker in the Rohingya community, said:

“This board has long been my dream. Financial challenges and diaspora politics delayed it, but today we witness a proud achievement. I stand with this initiative as a committed well-wisher.”

Saya Mohammad Ismile, English teacher at Wisdom Tree High School (Camp-1W), noted:

“This should have been formed years ago. But it’s never too late. Now teachers will be more accountable, students more focused, and schools more competitive in a positive way.”

Saya Abdullah Asaad, an experienced Rohingya English teacher, emphasized:

“This board brings unity. It’s the only platform that gives students a fair chance. It supports parents’ dreams and reminds teachers of their responsibility. This is all gain, no loss.”

Mr. Abdu Rahman, founder of Easy English Center and rising data analyst, reflected:

“We failed to create this board for 8 years. But finally, thanks to a few truly dedicated educators—including my own teachers—we have succeeded. This board will validate student efforts and open doors for the future.”

List of Participating Schools

A total of 53 schools—including high schools, secondary schools, and primary schools—across the refugee camps are now under the umbrella of this new examination board.

Community-led Schools Participants

1. Wisdom Tree High School in Camp-1W

2. Bright Life High School in Camp-3

3. Full Moon High School in Camp-3

4. New Light High School in Camp-4

5. Mayyu Light High School in Camp-5

6. Life Destination High School in Camp-6

7. Building Hope High School in Camp-7

8. Rohingya Life Light High School in Camp-7

9. Pin Nyar Mying-Mor High School in Camp-8E

10. B.C.D.C High School in Camp-11

11. Mayyu High School inCamp-15

12. Education Goal High School in Camp-15

13. Rohingya Ideal High School in Camp-6

14. Rohingya’s Life Development High School in Camp-27

15. Sun Light High School in Camp-1E

16. Refuge Private High School in Camp-3

17. Golden Life High School in Camp-2E

18. Education Parks High School in Camp-5

19. Sanctum of Knowledge High School in Camp-9

20. Green Land High School in Camp-10

21. New Star High School in Camp-10

22. Life Guide Academy High School in Camp-14

23. Pin Nyar Shwe Pyi High School in Camp-16

24. Pioneer High School in Camp-3

25. Dream High School in Camp-3

26. Shwe Pin Nyar Nandaw High School in Camp-8E

27. Camp Light High School in Camp-10

28. Future Guide High School in Camp-11

29. Future Creat Academy High School in Camp-11

30. R.S.D.C High School in Camp-12

31. Mayyu New Light High School in Camp-13

32. BEACH School (High School) in Camp-13

33. Rohingya National School in Camp-8W

34. Education Palace High School in Camp-5/17

35. Rohingya Future Star Secondary school in Camp-4/5

36. Pin Nyar Monn Secondary School in Camp-9

37. Edu Palace Secondary School in Camp-10

38. New Vision Secondary School in Camp-12

39. R.C.E.D.A Secondary School in Camp-13

40. Future Bright Secondary School in Camp-13

41. RO, Garden of Education Secondary School in Camp-13

42. Life Light Secondary School in Camp-13

43. ME Academy Secondary School in Camp-13

44. Youth for Rohingya Development Secondary School in Camp-15

45. Pin Nyar San Mi Secondary School in Camp-15

46. Pin Nyar Yardana Secondary Schoolin Camp-16

47. Education Power Secondary School in Camp-18

48. Shwe Taung Secondary School in Camp-20/EXT

49. D.R.F.S Secondary School in Camp-26

50. Rohingya Society Devolvement Secondary School in Camp-13

51. Wisdom Palace Primary School in Camp-7

52. Rohingya Future Wisdom Light Primary School in Camp-7

53. Super Gaint Star Academy Primary School in Camp-13

A Platform for Recognition, Not Just Assessment

This examination board is not merely an evaluation mechanism—it is a symbol of self-reliance, unity, and educational dignity. It holds the potential to:

• Improve teaching quality
• Inspire student discipline and long-term vision
• Serve as a stepping stone for international recognition
• Eventually, secure acceptance for Rohingya education credentials by universities and governments worldwide

Conclusion: A New Dawn for Rohingya Education

The establishment of the Examination Board of Rohingya Refugees marks a historic milestone—the first ever unified, community-led education authority in the camps. It is the fruit of grassroots collaboration, visionary leadership, and unyielding commitment to the right to education.

As Rohingya students continue learning behind barbed-wire fences, this board sends a message: our dreams are still alive, our minds still sharp, and our community still determined to rise—with books, not bullets.

Contact Information

• Email: examboard.ro@gmail.com
• WhatsApp / Contact: +8801835277103
• Facebook: Official Page
• Website: www.RohingyaEdu.org