Schools for Rohingya Refugee Children Shut Down Amid Funding Crisis

The closure of schools for Rohingya refugee children in Cox’s Bazar has left over 227,500 young learners without access to education. This situation has arisen due to a significant funding shortfall impacting humanitarian efforts in the region, which is home to around 1.2 million Rohingya Muslims who fled violence in Myanmar. As international aid dwindles, families are increasingly concerned about the future of their children.

On March 25, 2023, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) emphasized the dire state of the refugee camps, highlighting that it requires approximately $256 million to provide essential services this year. However, it has only secured commitments for about 38% of this total, the lowest amount received in six years. The UNHCR’s interim representative in Bangladesh, Juliette Murekeyisoni, stated that without urgent additional support, critical food assistance, health services, and education will be severely disrupted.

Many families are already witnessing the repercussions of this funding crisis. For example, Begum, a mother of five residing in a bamboo shelter, expressed her fears for her daughters’ futures. “Without school, girls sit idle. People start talking,” she said, reflecting the cultural pressures that can lead to early marriages. Her concerns are echoed by others in the camp, including Mohammed Faruq, who lamented, “Only a little bit of education our children could learn was snatched away.”

The humanitarian organization UNICEF, which operates numerous learning centers for Rohingya children, suspended operations at more than 4,500 schools in June. This decision has left many teachers without work and exacerbated the already critical situation for children. Although classes for older students resumed in July, many educational facilities remain abandoned, with locked doors and fading murals. Naser Khan, a Rohingya teacher, noted, “Now the kids just play in the mud or rain. They’re forgetting everything they once learned.”

The cessation of educational opportunities has far-reaching implications. According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), an estimated 500,000 Rohingya children currently lack access to any form of education. The organization has reported a concerning rise in child marriages and child labor, with incidents increasing by 3% and 7%, respectively, this year. Hasina Rahman, IRC’s Bangladesh director, warned that without education, families may resort to desperate measures for survival.

The current crisis highlights a troubling trend in global funding priorities. UNICEF’s Rana Flowers stated, “To stretch every dollar, we have reduced UNICEF staff, streamlined programmes, and cut costs wherever possible – but the needs far outweigh the resources available.” As violence continues in Myanmar, the influx of up to 150,000 new arrivals has further strained resources.

For many families, the importance of education is underscored by their lived experiences. Kafayat Ullah, a math teacher, expressed the despair felt by educators and parents alike: “I dreamed my students would become doctors or engineers. Now, with no classes, they will become nothing.”

The plight of children like Nahima Bibi, a nine-year-old girl who longs to become a doctor, exemplifies the lost potential within the refugee community. “If I don’t go to school, how will I ever become a doctor?” she asked, her voice tinged with sadness.

With the future of an entire generation at stake, the international community faces a critical challenge in addressing the urgent needs of the Rohingya population. As funding decreases, the risk of further entrenching a lost generation grows, leaving many children in a state of uncertainty and despair.