UNICEF setting up hundreds of new learning centres for Rohingya refugee children
2017-09-29
© UNICEF/UN0126492/Brown
On 29 September 2017, students with their teacher at the Child Learning Centre at the Unchiprang Makeshift Camp in Cox Bazar.
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh/HONG KONG, 29 September 2017 - UNICEF announced today that it is planning to establish more than 1,300 new learning centres for Rohingya children who have fled Myanmar to neighbouring Bangladesh.
UNICEF is currently running 182 learning centres in Rohingya camps and makeshift settlements in Cox’s Bazar, and has enrolled 15,000 children. It plans to increase the number of learning centres to 1,500, to reach 200,000 children over the next year.
“It is critical that these children, who have suffered so much in this crisis should have access to education in a safe and nurturing environment,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh. “This is critical not just to provide them with a much-needed sense of normalcy now, but so that they can build a future to look forward to.”
The learning centres provide early education to children aged 4 to 6, as well as non-formal basic education to children from ages 6 to 14. In each learning centre there are three shifts, with each shift comprising of 35 children.
Children learn English, Math, Burmese, Science, Arts and Anthems in the learning centres. Children also receive psychosocial counselling, and are taught hygiene and life skills. The children are given books, pens, colouring pencils, school bags and other educational materials.
Over a quarter of a million Rohingya children have fled Myanmar into Cox’s Bazar since August 25.