The Story of an Alternative Path: Dedicated Individuals Creating Educational Opportunities for Rohingya Refugee Children

By: RO Maung Shwe

A Lifelong Commitment to Education

Meet Md. Shofique, a dedicated Rohingya educator originally from Taungbazar Innchaung village in Buthidaung township, Arakan. He completed his matriculation from Buthidaung High School in 2006 and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Sittway University. However, due to systemic discrimination and restrictions imposed by the Myanmar authorities, further higher education was beyond reach for him and many other Rohingya students.

Despite these barriers, Shofique remained committed to education. He joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a teacher while also teaching at his village school. However, in 2017, along with hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, he was forced to flee to Bangladesh to escape the genocide perpetrated by the junta forces and Natala Rakhine groups.

Building Schools in the Refugee Camp

After arriving in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, Shofique worked as a Health Worker with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), yet his passion for teaching remained unwavering. He continued educating children in his locality, a mission that later evolved into something greater.

In 2022, Youth for Rohingya Development (YRD) was established by a group of dedicated community teachers who had been independently teaching in the camp. Prior to this initiative, children lacked access to structured, curriculum-based education. Through relentless efforts, YRD created a formal educational institution, now providing hope to hundreds of refugee children.

Currently, YRD operates three community-based schools, including a high school and a middle school in Camp 16. These schools offer Rohingya children access to systematic, quality education—something that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

Enrollment at YRD Schools in Camp 16

YRD High School Enrollment

Grade	Total Students	Male	Female
KG	42	18	24
1A	46	23	23
1B	36	20	16
2	40	21	19
3	53	29	24
4A	28	16	12
4B	29	14	15
5A	26	16	10
5B	25	17	8
6	41	36	5
7	36	33	3
8	31	31	0
9	20	18	2
10	15	11	3
11	10	10	0
12	10	10	0
Total	486	323	163

YRD Middle School Enrollment

Grade	Total Students	Male	Female
1A	36	11	25
1B	30	18	12
2A	21	10	11
2B	32	17	15
3	24	12	12
4A	35	20	15
4B	14	6	8
5	18	13	5
6	10	8	2
Total	220	115	105

Challenges Faced by YRD Schools

Despite the dedication of 41 community teachers, YRD struggles with significant challenges, primarily due to a lack of financial support. The schools have received no external funding since their establishment. Teachers work voluntarily with only a small honorary payment collected from students’ families—barely enough to cover their basic expenses.

Key Challenges:

✅ Severe shortage of classrooms – Many classes are held in overcrowded makeshift shelters due to the lack of proper facilities.

✅ Restrictions from local camp authorities – Operational challenges arise due to pressure and limitations imposed by authorities.

✅ Limited class hours – Due to space shortages and external pressures, classes are scheduled early in the morning and late in the evening.

Despite these hardships, community contributions and unwavering commitment from teachers keep the mission alive.

Dreams and Aspirations of Rohingya Students

The students of YRD schools are not just learning for themselves; they are preparing to uplift their community and fight for justice.

• Nojumullah is determined to empower future generations so that others cannot demean the Rohingya people.
• Showkot Ara aspires to become a lawyer to seek justice for her people who suffered genocide in 2017.
• Mohammad Younus dreams of being a doctor after witnessing Rohingya patients denied treatment by Buddhist doctors in Myanmar.
• Mohammad Ayas calls upon international humanitarian organizations to support community-based schools like YRD to expand enrollment and ensure fair salaries for teachers.

A Call for Support

Md. Shofique highlights a pressing concern: Beyond Grade 12, there is no access to higher education for Rohingya students. This leaves young people vulnerable to gambling, illegal activities, and other harmful paths. Education is a fundamental right, and the Rohingya children deserve opportunities for a brighter future.

We Need Support For:

📌 Financial assistance to ensure fair salaries for teachers.
📌 Better learning facilities and permanent classroom spaces.
📌 Higher education opportunities for Rohingya students.

Together, we can empower Rohingya refugee children through education!

📞 Contact:
📍 Acting Principal, YRD Schools
👤 Md. Shofique
📱 WhatsApp: 01824856125