by Ro Maung Shwe
The Examination Board of Rohingya Refugees has officially begun its Final Examination for the 2025–2026 academic year across Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, marking a significant moment for community led education initiatives.
The examination is being conducted with support from the United Council of Rohingya, reflecting ongoing collaboration to strengthen academic standards within refugee run schools.
Examination Overview
The first phase of the examination began on February 14, 2026, and will continue until February 19, 2026. Exams are being held simultaneously across 14 designated centers.
This phase covers Grades 5 and 9. A total of 61 community led schools are participating, with 2,216 students sitting for the examinations. All centers are following a unified schedule from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm to ensure consistency and transparency in assessment.
The first subject administered was Myanmarsar, the Burmese language, which remains a core subject in Rohingya community schools and plays an important role in literacy and cultural continuity.
Two Phase Examination Structure
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the Examination Board introduced a two phase structure.
Phase One covers Grades 5 and 9 and is currently underway. Phase Two will focus on Grade 12 students and is scheduled to take place from March 26 to April 4, 2026, after the month of Ramadan. Organizers said the later schedule is intended to allow sufficient time for syllabus completion and preparation for higher secondary students.
Improved Examination Facilities
For the first time, examinations are being conducted in NGO supported facilities instead of temporary learning shelters. Students are sitting for exams in Darbar Halls, Cyclone Centers, and other designated community venues.
In previous years, examinations were often held in makeshift classrooms that faced challenges related to overcrowding and limited infrastructure. The use of formal venues this year provides improved seating arrangements, better supervision, enhanced lighting and ventilation, and safer conditions for students.
Community members said this change reflects growing organizational capacity within Rohingya led education systems.
About the Examination Board
The Examination Board of Rohingya Refugees is a community established academic body responsible for standardizing examinations across Rohingya led schools. Its role includes coordinating assessments, maintaining student academic records, aligning curricula, and ensuring evaluation procedures are transparent.
In the absence of access to nationally recognized certification systems, the board functions as an internal assessment authority to maintain structure and academic discipline within refugee education initiatives.
Currently, 61 community led schools operate under this framework across the camps.
Leadership and Community Participation
The initiative is being implemented under the guidance of the United Council of Rohingya. Ro Khin Maung, President of the organization and Convenor of the Examination Board, previously emphasized the broader importance of structured education for Rohingya youth.
Community members, including teachers, volunteers, supervisors, school coordinators, and local leaders, have coordinated to conduct the examinations. Parents and guardians expressed pride as students participated in standardized assessments despite the prolonged displacement situation.
Education Amid Displacement
With more than two thousand students sitting for exams in this phase alone, the initiative highlights the continued effort by Rohingya educators and families to sustain structured learning inside the camps.
Residents say that despite funding constraints and policy limitations, education remains one of the few long term investments available to Rohingya children and youth. As preparations continue for the Grade 12 examinations after Ramadan, community members view the examination process as part of a broader effort to preserve identity, academic continuity, and future opportunity under displacement conditions.
