CCNF recommends rehabilitation programs for education and students in Cox’s Bazar

Cox's Bazar CSO-NGO Forum (CCNF) has called upon all concerned to take special rehabilitation programmes for local educational institutions and students in Cox's Bazar on the occasion of International Day of Education on January 24.

According to a press release issued on Saturday, many of the local educational institutions were affected by the Rohingya influx in 2017.

The organization also recommended introduction of education to Rohingyas with Myanmar curriculum to make Rohingya repatriation sustainable.

Many of the local educational institutions had to shut down their activities as those were used as temporary barracks for military personnel at the beginning of the Rohingya influx and shelter for Rohingyas refugees, the press release said.

Many students stopped going to school because of the increasing number of people and the huge congestion of vehicles used in relief programs. Many college students and teachers joined various organizations involved in the relief program.

The press release stated that only 2.6 percent of emergency global relief fund has been allocated to education sector.

Though Rohingya children aged 6-14 years have been included in the non-formal education program initiated by the Government of Bangladesh and various organizations, 83% of adolescents and youth aged 15-24 years do not participate in any education program, according to the press release.

Education programmes up to level 1-4 are currently being conducted for more than 300,000 Rohingya children and adolescents in approximately 6,000 learning centers.

There is a sense of frustration among students and their parents about the lack of educational opportunities for those over 15 years of age and the lack of education in the Myanmar curriculum.

Many Rohingyas fear that their educational life will become uncertain as they return, the press release reads.

The press release recommended several steps to be taken including ensuring infrastructural development, recruitment of skilled and trained teachers, special incentives for local students.

The press release also recommended diplomatic initiatives to ensure Rohingya curriculum and that educational activity adopted here are recognized by the Government of Myanmar and many other things.