The Story of the Rohingya Education Development Plan (REDP): A Civil Society Organization

By: RO Maung Shwe

Introduction

The Rohingya Education Development Plan (REDP) is a civil society organization dedicated to providing systematic, quality, and curriculum-based education to Rohingya children in the overcrowded refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar.

Despite numerous challenges and hardships, REDP has taken the responsibility of implementing self-initiated, community-based schools across different camps to ensure education for refugee children.

Leadership of REDP

Muhammad Ayas, the founder of REDP, hails from Goppy village in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, Myanmar. He is an active Rohingya humanitarian working to serve his community. In Myanmar, he successfully completed his matriculation in 2016-2017 from No.

(1) Buthidaung High School. However, due to the mass exodus, massacres, and ethnic cleansing campaign carried out by the Myanmar military government in collaboration with NaTaLa Rakhine civilians, he was unable to pursue higher education.

Mr. Muhammad Tawyub, commonly known as Ro Kyaw Myint, is a well-educated Rohingya from Goppy village in the northern part of Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, Myanmar.

He passed his matriculation examination in 2010 from Taung Bazar High School. Previously serving as the Executive Director of REDP, he now holds the position of Deputy Executive Director.

Mr. Rabiul Hassan, originally from Kyan Taung village in northern Buthidaung Township, completed his matriculation examination from Taung Bazar High School in 2016. With dedication and leadership skills, he currently serves as the Executive Director of REDP.

Mr. Sadek Hossain, from Tin May village in northern Buthidaung Township, completed his matriculation examination from Kyein Chaung (Bolibazar) in 2016.

He is currently serving as the Technical Director of REDP.

Mr. Muhammad Anuwar, originally from Goppy village in northern Buthidaung Township, completed his matriculation examination in 2010 from Taung Bazar High School.

He later graduated from the International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) and is now serving as the Financial Management Director of REDP.

Mr. Muhammad Hares (Mg Tin Shwe), from Goppy village in northern Buthidaung Township, completed his matriculation examination in 2016 from No.1 Buthidaung High School. He is currently serving as the Media-Related Director of REDP.

Establishment of REDP

REDP was founded in September 2019 as an initiative to provide education for Rohingya children. It was established by a group of educated Rohingya youth and experienced teachers, including senior retired teachers from the Myanmar Education Ministry Board.

These individuals brought their knowledge and expertise to the refugee camps, ensuring structured and quality education for the displaced Rohingya community.

About REDP

REDP is committed to improving education among Rohingya students in the refugee camps by providing quality, structured, and curriculum-based learning.

The organization also focuses on supporting marginalized Rohingya populations and ensuring the development of future generations within the refugee community in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

Under REDP’s leadership, ten community-based high, middle, and primary private schools are actively educating Rohingya children.

These schools provide structured and qualitative education based on the Burmese curriculum to thousands of Rohingya students.

Schools Operated by REDP

1. Mayyu Future Light High School – Mr. Abul Alam (Acting Principal)
2. Golden Life High School – Mr. Foyazul Kader (Acting Principal)
3. Education Goal High School – Mr. Mohammad Rafique (Acting Principal)
4. Rohingya Bright Education Center – Mr. Anuwar Siddik (Acting Principal)
5. Education Tree School – Mr. Tawyub (Acting Principal)
6. Education Palace School – Mr. Rafik (Acting Principal)
7. Rohingya Generation Future Light – Mr. Mohammed Ayas (Acting Principal)
8. Rohingya Academy – Mr. Rahman Alam (Acting Principal)
9. Rohingya Education Garden – Mr. Azizur Rahman (Acting Principal)
10. Education Garden Primary School – Mr. Sadek Hossain (Acting Principal)

These schools operate with the dedication of 55 qualified and experienced Rohingya teachers, many of whom previously worked in Myanmar’s education system.

Despite a lack of formal school facilities, classes are conducted in religious centers (moktabs) and makeshift shelters, running from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Mission

• Educate the Rohingya community to understand their rights and responsibilities as human beings.
• Transform a vulnerable community into a well-informed and empowered society through proper education.
• Promote peace and unity among Rohingya individuals through education.
• Spread awareness of the importance of education within every segment of the Rohingya population.

Vision

• Develop future leaders, including teachers, lawyers, and engineers, within the Rohingya community.
• Establish a peaceful society through educational motivation.
• Ensure that books and education become accessible tools for Rohingya youth.
• Advocate for refugee children by providing them with education and helping them fulfill their aspirations.

Objectives

• Establish an environment of peace, justice, dignity, diversity, and equality.
• Empower Rohingya students to advocate for themselves and showcase their talents.
• Provide opportunities for Rohingya children to improve their knowledge and skills, enabling a better future.
• Demonstrate that the Rohingya community can thrive and achieve success when provided with the right opportunities.
• Reduce the involvement of Rohingya children in unethical activities, such as child labor, kidnapping, human trafficking, child marriage, and abuse.

Conclusion

The Rohingya Education Development Plan (REDP) continues to work at the grassroots level to improve education for Rohingya children in refugee camps.

The organization firmly believes that education is the foundation of empowerment and self-determination for the Rohingya community.

While the Myanmar government has historically denied Rohingya rights, REDP remains committed to educating and uplifting the next generation so that they can advocate for their future.

By prioritizing education and community development, REDP is paving the way for a brighter and more independent Rohingya society.