More than 1,100 volunteer teachers in Rohingya refugee camps were formally recognized and awarded training certificates for the first time on Wednesday, marking a significant step towards improving the quality of education for Rohingya children.
The initiative, jointly led by UNICEF and Asian University for Women, with support from the Government of Bangladesh and the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), acknowledges the skills of trained volunteers while strengthening classroom learning across the camps.
As part of this milestone effort, trained volunteers are being directly engaged in teaching, helping to enhance learning outcomes. The certification not only validates their competencies but also contributes to a more effective and supportive classroom environment.
“This is a remarkable initiative. It is not just a certificate—it is a symbol of empowerment. Through this, you will guide the next generation and help them shape their future,” said Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mizanur Rahman.
Over the past two years, volunteer teachers and master trainers from both Rohingya and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char have completed the training programme. These educators play a critical role in sustaining effective learning, particularly in crisis settings.
Under the structured programme—the first of its kind in the camps—participants acquired the knowledge and practical skills required to deliver the Myanmar curriculum more effectively. The three-month course included 176 hours of training across 118 modules, covering English, mathematics, science, social science and the Burmese language. It combined direct instruction, peer engagement and hands-on classroom practice, with a strong emphasis on inclusive and gender-sensitive teaching.
Stanley Gwavuya, Acting Representative of UNICEF in Bangladesh, said the certification represents “a key milestone” in efforts to ensure not just access to education, but access to quality learning for every Rohingya child. “By investing in volunteer teachers, we are investing in the future of an entire generation of children who have already faced profound disruption and loss,” he added.
“Education is the strongest defence against oppression, discrimination and injustice. However, it must be effective and foster empathy,” said Kamal Ahmad, founder of Asian University for Women. “This programme gives us hope that education in the camps can be transformed in a way that restores a sense of possibility.”
Supported by development partners, the initiative underscores the importance of strengthening the capacity of volunteer teachers to improve learning outcomes. Skilled educators make classrooms more engaging and productive, ensuring active participation from every learner.
With the future of Rohingya children still uncertain, investing in trained volunteer teachers offers a pathway to hope—spreading the light of education, restoring dignity and creating opportunities for a better future.
