By: RO Maung Shwe
In the heart of the Rohingya refugee camps, where education remains one of the biggest challenges, a group of determined community teachers is working tirelessly to provide children with the opportunity to learn. Among them is Aziz Karim, a dedicated Rohingya educator who has devoted himself to ensuring that education does not disappear for Rohingya children displaced by persecution.
A Teacher’s Journey from Myanmar to the Refugee Camp
Aziz Karim, originally from Ward-7, Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, completed his matriculation in 2012 from Buthidaung High School. However, like thousands of other Rohingya students, he was barred from pursuing higher education as the Myanmar government banned Rohingya enrollment in universities. Despite this, his passion for education remained strong, and he began working as a community teacher in his village school.
After being forcibly displaced in 2017, Aziz Karim arrived in Bangladesh with nothing but his knowledge and dedication to teaching. Despite the harsh conditions of the refugee camps, he continued educating children inside his makeshift tarpaulin shelter. His commitment to education led him to co-found Mayyu New Light High School in Camp-13, where he currently serves as the acting principal.
Establishing Mayyu New Light High School
Establishing a community-led school was not easy. In the beginning, Aziz Karim and another dedicated teacher, Shofique, discussed opening private classes. They invited teachers from Thaingkhali Camp-13, who were individually tutoring students and encouraged them to unite under one institution. However, most teachers declined due to financial struggles. Only one teacher agreed to join them.
Thus, in 2020, Mayyu New Light High School was founded, initially enrolling just 50 students. Without external support, the teachers worked voluntarily, covering costs from their own pockets and relying on students’ small contributions to pay for essentials.
“Schools and classrooms are the best platforms to bring change, and dedicated teachers are the driving force behind this transformation,” said Aziz Karim, explaining the importance of their initiative.
Challenges in Running the School
Providing education in a refugee camp comes with numerous obstacles. The school operates discreetly, as camp authorities do not permit community-led educational initiatives. Classes are held during the evening to avoid restrictions. Additionally, the lack of adequate space, learning materials, and stationery supplies remains a major issue.
Despite these difficulties, Mayyu New Light High School now teaches 10 grades, from Grade 1 to Grade 10, with 20 dedicated Rohingya community teachers providing education across 13 learning facilities. Currently, 260 students are enrolled and attending classes regularly.
“Many children in the camp do not have access to education, and some are at risk of engaging in negative activities. If we receive any kind of support, we can enroll more students and prevent them from losing their future,” said Aziz Karim.
Struggles of Students and Teachers
The school runs entirely on student fees, but many families struggle to afford even the smallest contributions. As a result, the teachers often go unpaid or receive only small amounts, which barely cover their living costs.
“We do not focus on fees because most parents cannot afford them. However, they also struggle to provide books and basic learning materials for their children,” said Aziz Karim.
Despite the hardships, the dedication of the teachers and the enthusiasm of the students continue to inspire them. Seeing children learn, grow in knowledge, and hold on to their dreams is the greatest motivation for the school’s founders and teachers.
A Beacon of Hope for Rohingya Children
For many Rohingya children, Mayyu New Light High School represents hope—a place where they can build a future despite being refugees. Education remains the only tool that can empower them and prepare them for the challenges ahead.
“This small effort has allowed hundreds of students to access quality education. It gives me even more encouragement to work harder in the future for the education of our Rohingya community,” Aziz Karim concluded.
Contact Information
- Principal: Aziz Karim
- WhatsApp: +8801869-244095
- Email: azizkorimm94@gmail.com
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