Inspiring Rohingya girls to attend school

8/3/2024

Project Officer, Bristy Dey, pictured with Rohingya students in Kutupalong camp, Bangladesh

4 mins read time

In the ‘mega camps’ of Bangladesh, Rohingya refugees are stuck living in one of the toughest environments on earth. There is little access to education and girls face pressure to stay home. But in spite of this, there is hope.

We hear from Bristy, one of our Project Officers in Bangladesh who shares what she and the team are doing to change attitudes and inspire girls to learn.

In Bangladesh, together with our local partners, Children on the Edge provide access to quality education and support for over 6,300 Rohingya refugee children.

Bristy Dey is a Project Officer in Kutupalong camp and understands only too well the pressure to stay home. She tells us more about her work in the camp and how she’s working with the team to change attitudes and encourage girls to attend school.....

MEET BRISTY

When I was young, it was expected I would get married after completing secondary school, at around age 14. But I didn’t want to get married, I was determined to get an education and have my independence rather than marrying young. Thankfully, my mother supported my decision.

During high school and college, I faced regular unwelcome marriage proposals, a constant reminder of the path expected of me. But I was determined to complete my education and fund my own university place, which I did, and also went on to complete my Masters in Business Administration.

In 2018, I began working as a Project Officer for Mukti Cox’s Bazar, working with Children on the Edge to support the learning centres for Rohingya refugees in Kutupalong camp.

Within the Rohingya culture, pressure is still placed on girls to leave education and help at home, and many feel that religious instruction should be prioritised for children. We try hard to tackle these attitudes and encourage girls to attend school.

My colleagues and I make sure we have regular conversations with Imams and parents to talk about the benefits of mainstream education for all.

A group of Imans sat on a verandah are talking with staff from Mukti Cox's Bazar

Staff from our partner organisation talking with Imam's in Bangladesh

We also make sure lesson times in our classrooms don’t overlap with madrassas (religious school / lessons). To protect students and help teachers spot signs of abuse, we train our teachers on PSEAH (prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment).

As a result of our work, in the last six months, we are seeing a different. There has been an increase in attendance (especially for girls) in our classrooms in Kutupalong and on Bhasan Char island, where many refugees have been relocated. In Kutupalong attendance has risen from 92% to 95%.

All the teachers at the learning centres are passionate about ensuring Rohingya girls can come to school and act as role models for the students to show what is possible with an education.

I was not deterred by the challenge of working with refugees, and hoped to break down barriers and earn the trust of the community in order to make a meaningful contribution and difference. I am so pleased that we are seeing that difference now, with so many of the girls thriving at the learning centres.

Teacher Sumi Barua smiling in a pink dress

MEET TEACHER: SUMI BARUA

“I am a teacher at the learning centres in Kutupalong and I have always loved to learn. I truly believe in the power of education and see teaching as a vital duty. I am proud to be a teacher and to be able to bring hope to children who would otherwise be denied an education”.

MEET STUDENT: MORINA

“I can see a lot of change in me. I am now studying in Grade 3 and wish to study to higher grades. I am confident I can do it. Through learning here, my confidence has increased a lot.”

Fatema, smiling 12 year old Rohingya girl

MEET STUDENT: FATEMA

12-year-old Fatema has flourished since joining one of our learning centres in Kutupalong in 2018. Her teacher described how ‘her eyes sparkled with joy’ when she received her first book. Fatema’s hard work and determination has helped her make steady progress in her studies and she recently progressed to a higher grade.

Fatema has not only begun to regain a sense of safety and care, she has had fun, made friends, expressed herself and learned many skills, including reading and writing in both Burmese and English.

“With her head held high, Fatema has continued her journey, determined to overcome any obstacle that lay ahead. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of education, a beacon of light in the darkest of times.”

- Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Rebeka Khatoum

MEET STUDENT: TOSMIN

Another student, Tosmin, arrived in Kutupalong in 2017. When one of the teachers came to her area of the camp to enrol new students, Tosmin and her parents were excited for her to join one of our learning centres.

Over the course of three years, despite never attending school before, Tosmin has blossomed into a talented student. With dedication and hard work, she has learned to read Burmese and English and can write short sentences like "Hi," "Hello," "How are you," and "We are Rohingya Muslims”.

She has high hopes for her future and even encourages her friends to enrol in school too, believing so much in “the transformative power of education”.

Her parents say that “education can shape and empower the next generation for the betterment of our world”.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE. DONATE TODAY

Thanks to the efforts of staff like Bristy, so many Rohingya girls are accessing education and thriving in school. You can support our work in Bangladesh with a donation today.

DONATE NOW

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