Nayapara camp- one of the densely populated refugee camps situated in Cox’s bazar which is also home of 10 primary schools and one high school. Relevant quality education is fundamental to the future of the Rohingya children. With proper knowledge, they can claim their rights, whilst becoming self-dependent. More than 4200 students are enrolled in Nayapara schools. However, since this November some of the students of the secondary school raised demands which include- a permanent/fixed curriculum, access to higher education, and allowing formal education and accredited certificates.
The following month before the final exam, Mr Jahed who is a project manager of CODEC (Community Development Center), Education officer Mr Jame Orayango and Mr Jahedul Islam who is an associate education officer from UNHCR arranged a meeting with some students and community elders to discuss the matter but could not assure to meet Rohingya students demands.
As an outcome, only 10 per cent students of Nayapara Schools appeared for exams, and the rest remained adrift not knowing what lies ahead.
Very recently, Saad Hammadi, South Asia Campaigner at Amnesty International stated that “The international community must accept that they will not be able to return home to Myanmar any time soon, and they cannot continue to see their futures slowly stolen from them in conditions where they are being denied their right to education.
When a child receives an education, everyone benefits. Both Bangladesh and the international community must step up and share the responsibility of educating all children in Cox’s Bazar – Rohingya refugees and the host community as well.
It is in everyone’s interests to see that all children in Cox’s Bazar receive a quality education as is their right. Education can uplift entire communities. Far from being a burden on a national economy, it should be seen as an investment that will yield great dividends. But the denial of education will ultimately have very negative consequences.
The Bangladesh government can start by lifting the restrictions on education for refugees currently in place.”
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