By: RO Maung Shwe
A Passion for Education
Meet Mr. Mohammed Ayass, a dedicated Rohingya educator from northern Maungdaw Township, Arakan. He is the son of Hj Kalamia and a passionate teacher who pursued a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English before restrictions on higher education for Rohingya students intensified in Myanmar. Despite these barriers, he taught at his village’s middle school and conducted private high school classes.
In 2017, like hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, Mr. Ayass and his family were forced to flee Myanmar due to genocide, human rights violations, mass killings, and other atrocities committed by the junta forces and Natala Rakhine groups. After a harrowing journey, they took refuge in the Kutupalong refugee camp, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the world’s largest refugee settlement. Yet, even in exile, he remained committed to educating children.
Establishing Rohingya Ideal Private High School
With education severely disrupted in the refugee camps, Mr. Ayass co-founded two community-based schools: One Life Destination High School in Camp 6 and Rohingya Ideal Private High School between Camp 6 and Camp 2 East.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when NGO-run schools and private classes were shut down, many students lost hope. Recognizing the urgency, Mr. Ayass, Mr. Eliyas (son of late Mohammad Anis), and Mr. Mohammed Tarek took the initiative to create Rohingya Ideal Private High School, initially starting with Grade 8. Year by year, the school expanded, now offering education from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
Leadership and Teaching Excellence
Currently, Mr. Mohammed Tarek, a dedicated Rohingya educator with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Mathematics from Sittway University, serves as the acting principal. The school operates with 11 expert teachers and 12 learning facilities, ensuring quality education for Rohingya students.
Mr. Ayass is dedicated to providing quality education and ensuring academic satisfaction for high school students. He is well-known in the refugee camp as an expert Chemistry teacher for high-grade students. In both schools, he is assigned to teach only Grades 10, 11, and 12 for Chemistry, a subject in which he specializes.
Mr. Ayass is also the founder and instructor of Rohingya Knowledge World, an online education platform where he regularly uploads educational videos on its YouTube channel and Facebook page. He is a person who strives to shape himself and always aspires to inspire others and the Rohingya students.
Faculty Members and Subjects
| Teacher | Qualification | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Mohammed Tarek | B.Sc. in Mathematics | Mathematics |
| Mr. Mohammed Ayass | BA in English | Chemistry |
| Mr. Mohammed Rafique | – | Burmese |
| Mr. Abdul Noor | – | Biology |
| Mr. Mohammad Ismail | – | English, Science |
| Mr. Mohammadul Hasan | – | English, Physics |
| Mr. Niyamot Ullah | – | Burmese |
| Mr. Ayatullah | – | Geography |
| Mr. Nur Islam | – | Science |
| Mr. Mohammad Rafique | – | Mathematics |
| Mr. Nurul Amin | – | History |
Student Enrollment
Currently, 405 students are enrolled across Grades 1 to 12:
| Grade | Total Students | Male | Female |
| 1 | 48 | 28 | 20 |
| 2 | 53 | 32 | 21 |
| 3 | 46 | 27 | 19 |
| 4 | 37 | 22 | 15 |
| 5 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 6 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 7 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 8 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 9 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 10 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 11 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 12 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| Total | 405 | 274 | 131 |
Challenges Faced by the School
Despite its impact, Rohingya Ideal Private High School faces significant challenges, particularly due to a lack of financial support.
✅ No External Funding – The school operates without any external financial assistance. Teachers work voluntarily, with small stipends collected from students’ families, barely covering daily expenses.
✅ Limited Learning Spaces – Classrooms are overcrowded, forcing students to learn in makeshift shelters.
✅ Restricted Class Hours – Due to space constraints and external pressures, classes are held early in the morning and late in the evening.
✅ Risk of Student Dropout – Many students are forced to discontinue education due to financial difficulties. Some become vulnerable to child marriage, human trafficking, and child labor.
A Call for Support
Despite these obstacles, our dedicated teachers remain committed to shaping young Rohingya minds. However, to sustain and expand, we need support from the international community and humanitarian organizations.
🔹 Urgent Needs:
📌 Financial assistance to provide fair salaries for teachers.
📌 Better classroom spaces to create a structured learning environment.
📌 Higher education opportunities to ensure Rohingya students can continue their academic journeys.
Conclusion
Rohingya Ideal Private High School is a beacon of hope for Rohingya students in Camp 2 East and Camp 6. Despite financial struggles, space constraints, and dropout risks, the school remains dedicated to providing education. However, to sustain this initiative and prevent young minds from being lost to hardship, immediate support is required.
With collective effort, we can empower Rohingya children, secure their futures, and uphold their right to education.
📞 Contact:
📍 Acting Principal, Rohingya Ideal Private High School
👤 Mr. Mohammed Tarek
📱 WhatsApp: [Provide Contact]
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