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Provision of education to Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh: exploring the forms of discrimination and intersectionality

Asia Pacific Education Review (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

The article sheds light on discrimination that denies basic education to Rohingya refugee children currently living in the unregistered Kutupalong refugee camp at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The condition of basic education is partially due to the discrimination they experience in Rakhine State, Myanmar. It is further shaped by limited education opportunities they are offered in the host country, Bangladesh. Employing a qualitative method, this study interviewed 18 informants from three categories: namely, Rohingya refugee children, guardians, and teachers (from Burmese and Bangladeshi backgrounds) and administered four focus group discussions to develop a deep understanding of their experiences. The results indicated that the unjust education opportunities provided by the Myanmar government and its divisive control of Rakhine State create various and linked forms of discrimination. The study revealed that ethnic identity, gender, religious background, age, and economic status play crucial roles in denying refugee children basic education in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Development Studies, DBA, International Standard University (ISU), Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Md Mahbubur Rahman

  2. Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Al Jamal Mustafa Shindaini

  3. UniSA Business, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

    A. B. M. Abdullah

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  1. Md Mahbubur Rahman
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  2. Al Jamal Mustafa Shindaini
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  3. A. B. M. Abdullah
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Correspondence to Md Mahbubur Rahman.

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Rahman, M.M., Shindaini, A.J.M. & Abdullah, A.B.M. Provision of education to Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh: exploring the forms of discrimination and intersectionality. Asia Pacific Educ. Rev. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-022-09770-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-022-09770-9

Keywords

  • Rohingya refugee children
  • Basic education
  • Kutupalong refugee camp
  • Cox’s Bazar
  • Bangladesh
  • Myanmar