Education

2021

UNHCR and its partners continued to ensure access to equitable learning opportunities for 65,985 learners (32,575 girls) aged 3-24 years through 1,714 learning facilities, including 1,265 home-based education facilities. The number of learners represents 53 per cent coverage in the UNHCR-managed camps and a 17%contribution to the overall level of education enrolment (as per the ISCG’s education sector target). This figure includes 9,734 adolescents and youth (4,856 female) who accessed basic numeracy, literacy, life skills, and skills training, with 548 adolescents and youth enrolled in various online courses through Coursera, EdX, and other virtual learning platforms. In 2021, 27 learning centres were reconstructed with gender segregated WASH facilities. 
 
In response to COVID-19, UNHCR and partners facilitated at-home learning by developing guidance notes on caregiver-led education containing detailed instructions for both parents and children on approaches to ensure continued learning. These materials were shared through home visits by Rohingya teachers along with COVID-19 prevention messages and health and hygiene materials. Additionally, COVID-19 adolescent kits adapted for use in the camps and focusing on home-based learning were distributed to help equip adolescents with life skills. 
 
Following an 18-month closure due to the national lockdown of education institutions, in September 2021, learning facilities across the camp reopened for two days per week. In early December, UNICEF rolled out the Myanmar curriculum as a pilot for 10,000 children, with UNHCR providing technical support including the development of teaching and learning materials, identification of teachers, and development of guidelines to standardise implementation. Beyond implementation of the Myanmar curriculum pilot, UNHCR developed a comprehensive roadmap guiding education sector partners on scale up of the curriculum.  

UNHCR interventions in 2021 strengthened the education partners’ capacity in providing education services using the Myanmar curriculum, a longstanding desire of the Rohingya community, and ensured equitable access to 65,985 children, youth and adolescents. Furthermore, in the context of COVID-19-related restrictions impacting face-to-face learning, UNHCR and partners started piloting EdTech solutions along with caregiver-led education, including tablet-based blended teacher training. 
 
To enhance teaching learning processes and facilitate quality education, UNHCR and partners executed ongoing professional development activities for 1,374 facilitators, including monthly refreshers, peer learning through teacher learning circles, psychological and social support, disaster risk reduction, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, trauma care and child safeguarding. UNHCR, in collaboration with Bard College, successfully completed piloting of mentorship training for 25 potential master trainers. With Bard College and BRAC Institute of Education Development (BRAC-IED), UNHCR scaled up mentorship training for 75 mentors from different education partners. It also collaborated with the Institute of Education and Research, Dhaka University to facilitate a study of teachers’ competencies and identify gaps. Additionally, UNHCR collaborated with BRAC IED to facilitate certified training on pedagogy for 2,500 teachers from Education Sector partners. During 2021, the training manual and relevant materials were developed and the training of trainer and orientation for master trainers were completed. Training for teachers were due to be facilitated in 2022. Furthermore, construction of a satellite teacher training centre was completed to provide professional development opportunities for teachers from the refugee and host communities. 

In addition, 18,505 refugees participated in peaceful coexistence activities through parent meetings, parenting sessions, community education committee meetings, mothers’ forums, and community-based programme sessions. Another 1,820 students in host communities benefitted from six community technology access centres.