The Issue
The magnitude, longevity and recent escalation of the Rohingya refugee crisis has placed an enormous burden on host communities in the border areas of Bangladesh. An already difficult situation here, has steadily deteriorated as the influx of refugees has risen over the past year. With the market for casual labour saturated by new arrivals who are desperate to provide for their families, compensation for a day’s work in many border areas has plummeted to below 70 pence a day. Demand for commodities has also spiked, pushing up prices for basic provisions. |
Most of those living on or near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border prior to this crisis were already teetering on the edge of subsistence poverty, and poorly equipped to host one of the largest migrations in modern human history.
As a consequence, local communities are suffering and many children are forced to abandon their education. Many families cannot afford the associated costs of school or need their children to work in order to supplement household incomes. With regards to education access, retention and achievement, Cox’s Bazar is among the lowest performing Districts in Bangladesh. UN figures state that currently, only 66.2 % of children in Bangladesh complete their primary education and 88% of female headed households have withdrawn children from school, citing rising food prices and the need for additional household labour. Cox’s Bazar tourist beach is an area of outstanding natural beauty, yet it is ravaged by extreme poverty. As a result, rather than learning or playing, Bangladeshi children need to work to support their families. They often work in the fish markets, or along the coastline selling shell bracelets and catching prawns. In the slum areas where we operate, there are no government schools functioning, and if there were, most children would still need to forfeit the pursuit of education in order to contribute to their family’s survival. These children have no funding or time to attend school, and little chance to enjoy the opportunities that should be inherent in childhood. |
What we are doing to help
Foundational to this programme’s operations is its engagement with local, Bangladeshi communities. Through working with MUKTI, our local partner, eighteen classrooms have been established in the areas of Cox’s Bazar township which have the highest concentration of out of school children. |
These serve as both Learning Centres and safe havens for 900 slum-dwelling children, of whom 25-35% are from Rohingya migrant families.
Children on the Edge does not support child labour. However, we recognise that children in the most extreme situations of poverty have no other option but to contribute to household income in order to survive. Our innovative programme has developed a flexible model to meet the educational needs of these children, whilst working closely with their families to foster greater understanding of the importance of their education. Each Learning Centre has one teacher who instructs two classes (morning and afternoon) of 25 students each. Classes follow the government-approved curriculum for literacy, writing, maths and science, with biannual standardised testing conducted on all students. We provide students with the opportunity to wash and receive a school uniform and book bag, giving them a sense of pride and belonging, as well as a nutritious snack. Emphasis is placed upon creative expression and play, with daily time assigned for art, dance and group sports. Children express their views and the views of their peers through Child Councils who shape the project, create a quarterly student newsletter and run their own activities. |
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Safiya (left) is studying Grade 3 at one of the Centres. She's also a member of the Child Council, and in one of their recent newsletters she wrote an article about her feelings about child marriage. She says, “If I leave the school my grandmother will marry me off, which I don’t like at my early age. I have decided to advocate against early marriage in my slum. If my neighbours don’t hear me I will bring my teacher to explain it to them, early marriage is a risk for health and life". |
News and Features
Latest Stories
Features and research
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'Child Labour in Bangladesh' - International Labour Organisation
'Child Labour in Bangladesh' (2017) - Dhaka Courier 'Child Marriage around the world:Bangladesh' - Girls Not Brides 'School enrolment high, but drop outs even higher' (2017) - Dhaka Tribune |
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