Teknaf, Bangladesh: Over 3,624 primary level students sat for the first term examination in Nayapara and Kytupalong official Burmese refugee camps of Bangladesh on May 15 and will continue till May 24, said a refugee teacher from the camp.
“Formal- I, Formal-2, and Formal–3 level students from ten schools in the camp. These schools have been implemented by Research Training and Management (RTM) International supported by UNICEF and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UHHCR).”
“In Nayapara camp, total 2,124 students of 824 students in Formal-1, 700 students in Formal-2 and 600 students in Formal-3.”
“The formal-1 and 2 students have to study Bangla, English, Maths and Burmese while Formal-3 students have to study Bangla, English, Math, and Burmese, Religion (Islam), Social science and general science.”
However, the UNICEF had left from the camp programs on May 1, this year. But reason is unknown. The UNICF has already given budget to the RTM international for the fiscal year of 2011 to June 2012, said a member of school committee from the camp.
In similar way, the examination is being held in Kutupalong official camp on that date. There are over 1,500 students in Formal 1, 2 and 3 levels in ten schools, said a refugee leader from the camp.
Approximately 28,000 Burmese Rohingya are registered as living in two official refugee camps in Bangladesh and more than 200,000 to 400,000 unregistered Rohingya living in nearby towns and villages outside of the two camps, according to official source.
Many children speak English and enthusiasm to learn English, has increased after the resettlement program started in 2006, said a mother of a student from Nayapara camp.
In the makeshift camps--- Leda (Tal) and Kutupalong (unofficial camp) ---, there are only Madrasa schools and home study class. The concerned authority didn’t give permission to run school in the camp.
