By Ro Maung Shwe | Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – 1–2 November 2025
A high-level delegation comprising senior Bangladesh government officials, Rohingya community leaders, and representatives from Canada, the United States, and Europe conducted a two-day visit to Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar to assess and support community-led education initiatives. The visit concluded with a workshop launching the Rohingya Education Enhancement Initiative — a joint effort to strengthen educational governance, capacity, and quality in the camps.
Delegation and Objectives
The delegation was led by Mr. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Additional Secretary and Refugee Relief & Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), along with Additional RRRC Mr. Abu Saleh Obaidullah and several senior officials. Camp-in-Charge (CIC) officers from various camps accompanied the visit. Among the delegation was Canadian-Rohingya scholar Mr. Raiis, underscoring the growing role of diaspora expertise. Distinguished visitors from the US, Canada, and Europe also participated.
The visit aimed to observe the operations of community-led schools, meet Rohingya volunteer teachers and parents, and explore ways to enhance collaboration between government agencies, local leaders, and international partners in advancing refugee education.
Activities in the Camps
Over two days, the delegation visited multiple learning centers managed by Rohingya educators. They met with teachers, facilitators, and community members to discuss curriculum challenges, access, gender equity, and sustainability. Discussions highlighted the strengths of community-run initiatives and the difficulties they face — including resource shortages, the need for teacher training, and the absence of formal recognition for Rohingya education systems.
Key themes that emerged included:
- Ensuring curriculum continuity and formal recognition.
- Capacity-building and professional development for Rohingya educators.
- Balancing community governance with RRRC and CIC oversight.
- Guaranteeing equity in access for girls, children with disabilities, and adolescent learners.
- Sustaining educational funding amid shifting donor priorities.
Workshop on Rohingya Education Enhancement Initiative
On November 2, the delegation attended a workshop held at the RRRC office conference hall in Cox’s Bazar. Co-organized by the RRRC and the United Council for Rohang (UCR), the workshop centered on the Rohingya Education Enhancement Initiative — a collaborative platform to strengthen educational governance, accountability, and quality assurance.
Mr. Khin Maung, Rohingya community leader and elected representative, delivered a presentation on behalf of the UCR, emphasizing the importance of self-representation and structured leadership in Rohingya education. Mr. Abdur Rahman, speaking for the Examination Board of Rohingya Refugee (EBRR), outlined the board’s vision for standardized assessments, certification, and engagement with government and international stakeholders for recognition of learning outcomes.
Participants — including senior government officials, camp managers, international education experts, and community leaders — discussed practical steps forward, such as pilot accreditation models, teacher training programs, resource mobilization, and monitoring frameworks.
Significance and Context
The visit comes at a time when Rohingya-led education is gaining momentum as an alternative to NGO-dominated systems. Civil society groups are working to build institutional mechanisms — such as the EBRR — to ensure ownership and long-term sustainability.
Meanwhile, the broader Education Sector in Cox’s Bazar continues to evolve. Key developments include the introduction of the Myanmar curriculum across learning centers, the establishment of consultative groups for technical oversight, and expanded efforts to ensure gender-equitable and inclusive learning opportunities for children affected by displacement.
Despite progress, challenges persist: limited funding, lack of accreditation, teacher shortages, and overlapping governance roles between refugee-led structures and official authorities.
The delegation’s visit signals renewed collaboration between the Bangladesh government and Rohingya civil society — a recognition that sustainable education reform must involve those most affected by it.
Looking Ahead
Key next steps identified during the workshop include:
- Developing pilot accreditation and certification pathways under the EBRR.
- Expanding teacher training and mentorship programs for Rohingya educators.
- Establishing monitoring and evaluation systems to track learning outcomes.
- Mobilizing funding through international partnerships and diaspora networks.
- Engaging in policy dialogue with government bodies and humanitarian actors for recognition of Rohingya-led education.
Hope and Reflection
This visit marked a milestone for the Rohingya community — the first formal collaboration where Bangladesh government officials, international representatives, and Rohingya leaders jointly discussed education policy and development. The active participation of Rohingya leaders like Mr. Khin Maung and local educators reflected a growing acknowledgment that refugees must be active partners in shaping their future.
The collaboration between the RRRC office, the United Council for Rohang, and international partners offers a blueprint for inclusive governance and empowerment. It underscores that education in exile is not merely about survival but about restoring dignity, agency, and the right to self-determination for the Rohingya people.
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