By: Hafizur Rahman
Mohammed Johar, a 22-year-old Rohingya teacher, was born in Ashuratta, Kan Poo, in the Ali Sin Kyaw area of Arakan State, Myanmar. He grew up in a middle-class family that owned agricultural land, which provided them with a stable livelihood. His father, Mohammed Kasim, was both a farmer and a private teacher, educating hundreds of students under UNDP. His mother, Anowara Begum, was a housewife who cared for the family.
Early Education and Forced Displacement
Johar began his education at a private learning center in his village. His village had two schools, one primary and one high school. He studied up to Class 4 in primary school before the headmaster established a middle school. Later, he was admitted to Ashuratta High School, where he studied in Class 8. Alongside his formal education, he also attended Moktup to learn Islamic studies.
However, Johar’s education was disrupted by the conflict and persecution of Rohingya people by the Myanmar government. Discriminatory policies marginalized his community, ultimately forcing thousands of Rohingya, including Johar, to flee to Bangladesh in 2017.
Life as a Refugee and Continuing Education
Arriving in Bangladesh as a refugee was a turning point in Johar’s life. He faced harsh living conditions, movement restrictions, limited healthcare access, and food shortages. He initially resided in Camp-6, Block D-5.
Determined to continue his education, he enrolled in Class 8 at a private school in Rohingya Bazar, Noukah Field, six months after arriving in the camp. Since he could not complete Class 8 in Myanmar due to persecution, he resumed his studies at Future Light Community High School, where he completed his exams. Later, he joined Life Destination High School, where he finished Class 10, benefiting from dedicated teachers who were committed to educating Rohingya youth.
A Passion for Teaching
Johar’s commitment to education extended beyond his own studies. After arriving in the camp, he began working as a teacher under Plan International, teaching in a home-based school. He served in this role for four years until the project ended due to funding issues. The program was then handed over to Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF), where he has been working as a Rohingya teacher since 2021.
Champion Teacher of 2024
Johar’s passion, dedication, and teaching skills earned him the prestigious “Champion Teacher of 2024” award under JCF. Out of 200 teachers across seven camps, he was among the three winners, representing Camp-6, alongside two other teachers from Camp-18 and Camp-19.
The selection was based on classroom performance, student progress, and teaching methodologies. The winning teachers received training in Inclusive Education and were later assessed through classroom observations, student improvement tracking, and teaching demonstrations. Based on their effectiveness in guiding students, Johar and the other winners were honored with the award.
Challenges and Aspirations
Despite his achievements, Johar’s ultimate dream remains unfulfilled. Though teaching allows him to support his family, he aspires to pursue higher education and become an exceptional educator. However, as a refugee, he faces significant barriers, especially the lack of a passport, which prevents him from enrolling in online higher education programs.
“Having a job doesn’t mean I have achieved everything. I support my family, but I want to become the best teacher I can. If I get the opportunity to pursue higher education, I will take it—because my education was taken from me once before. I will not stop.”
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