Getting a strong, inclusive head start on education in Cox’s Bazar

Above: Habib, centre, plays with other children at the Gender Transformative Early Childhood Development Centre. Photo: Ahmad Ullah Al Azad/Plan International Bangladesh

Karim* dreamed of becoming a teacher in Myanmar. However, his family struggled with extreme poverty and couldn’t afford to provide him with an education. With his dream unrealised, Karim was determined to ensure that he would do everything possible to ensure that his future children would receive an education and become teachers. Unfortunately, this dream was shattered when Karim had to flee his country and seek refuge in Bangladesh in 2017.

In the Rohingya refugee camp, Karim struggled intensely for survival. Eventually, Karim married Halima* and they started their own family. In 2020, they became parents to their son, Habib*. With the birth of his son, Karim began planning to ensure Habib would have access to an education.

When Habib turned 2, his mother Halima became concerned about his inability to hear. She had noticed that Habib was unresponsive when she called his name or tried to get his attention. He often remained silent or seemed lost in his thoughts for long periods of time. The couple decided to consult a doctor at the health centre at their camp. Karim and Halima were told that it may not be a hearing impairment, but due to delayed development.

Karim and Halima decided to get a second opinion from a different health centre. Here they were advised that Habib’s condition would take time to improve, and he would benefit from engaging with other children through play.

Karim and Halima both began searching for a safe and suitable environment for Habib’s development.

Halima found an Early Childhood Development centre called, “Shishu Bikash Kendro” (SBK), later known as the “Gender Transformative Early Childhood Development” (GTiECD) centre, near their home. This centre is operated by Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB), with support from Plan International Bangladesh and in partnership with the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.

Above: Habib plays with his mother at the Gender Transformative Early Childhood Development Centre. Photo: Ahmad Ullah Al Azad/Plan International Bangladesh

“Me and my husband discussed about giving Habib a great opportunity as he is the only child in our family. After visiting the center we understood that this was a good place for our child to get the chance to play with other children,” Halima said.

When Habib was 3 years old, Karim and Halima enrolled him into the centre. Initially, Habib struggled with the new environment. He would often stay in a corner by himself or sit on Halima’s lap, avoiding all interaction.

Despite numerous efforts by the facilitator and Halima, it still took a few months for Habib to feel comfortable. But now, Habib claps his hands, makes eye contact with others, and sometimes plays with the other children.

“We were happy to observe the progress of our child,” Halima said. “We were very worried about his future. But now we are happier that our son has befriended other children.”

Since being enrolled, Karim and Halima arare seeing the improvements in Habib’s behaviour. He has started responding more when called by his name, and following instructions like clapping his hands when demonstrated.

“We want to continue sending Habib to the center as he is showing progress after enrolling in the center and getting to play with other children. Now we feel confident that our child will also be able to respond properly and become like any other child of his age,” Halima said.

Through support for inclusive early childhood education in Cox’s Bazar, AHP and partners are working to give Rohingya children like Habib a solid foundation for their education, and for life.

*Names changed

This activity was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership and implemented by the CARE-led consortium with Oxfam and Plan International.