Rohingya Muslim students know what it’s like to be isolated, attacked, and denied attendance to school. They know better than to ask why they can’t use the same reading books as Rakhine students or why they’re forced to take exams in segregated rooms labeled: “for Bangali-Kala (dark) students.”
As Rohingya Muslims continue their struggle to claim basic educational rights, we reveal the latest updates:
Setbacks
The Basic Education High School Examination (BEHS) is taking place in Arakan this month. Reports indicate that only 150 out of 2000 Rohingya students from the Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Sandway districts were allowed to sit for the exam. Students from eight other districts were denied permission altogether. This is a sharp decrease from last year’s Rohingya total of 3,000 students.
Signs of Progress
The Turkish Religious Affairs Foundation (TDV), in coordination with the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), has recently embarked on a project to cover educational expenses and scholarships for over 100 students at two Myanmar universities. At least $2 million has been allocated for the program.
TDV Deputy Director General Mustafa Tutkin reflected, “As long as the Rohingya Muslims stay uneducated, they can not contribute to their cases on solving their problems.”
Muhammad Yunus, President of RSO, added, “Without education, it is not possible for people to step out of their problems and have a look at it from the outside. Therefore, it is substantial that our people are educated at any cost.”
Reflecting on recent news, we ought to remember that any cause worth fighting for is met with setbacks as well as small, but critical victories.
Creative Commons Love: United Nations Development Programme on Flickr.com
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