Guest Speaker: Teacher Stella, A Rohingya Refugee School Teacher

Background

The Rohingya people are a Muslim minority group residing in the Western State of Rakhine, Myanmar. They were denied citizenship from the new Citizenship Law (135 ethnic group in the list) passed in 1982. Since then, Rohingya have faced systemic persecution and discrimination for decades. The 2015 refugee crisis has caused mass migration of Rohingya to many parts of the world include Penang. 

Teacher Stella's Sharing

Looking at those helpless children and families, Teacher Stella decided to teach in the refugee school. Besides teaching them to read, write and count (3M), teacher Stella also teach the elder children practical skills such as filling in forms, calling ambulance, applying for UNHCR services/cards and basic computer skills. The children also exposed to art, poem and drama to express their feelings and emotions. They even form a choral speaking group and all the members can speak good English.

Teacher Stella said the parents were very happy with the children achievements in school and the enrolment is always over subscribe. As such, Teacher Stella imposed a requirement for the children to attend early childhood education with Good Start Pre-school before enrol in the primary school with her. She mentioned that Good Start provide the children a good foundation to start elementary school.

Teenagers who has finished elementary school has no place to further study. They may engaged themselves in gangsterism or become an extremist due to bad influence. In view of this problem, Teacher Stella decided to start a secondary school for these teenagers to continue study. The school will include vocational skills in their curriculum to prepare the young adults with proper living skill when they graduated. May she be blessed with good luck and good people in setting up the school.

Teacher Stella has a beautiful soul. She was not only teach the children, she also care for them and help their family whenever she were called for. She has been fought for a child in a child marriage case. She was frustrated when at the end the girl still get married at young age. However, she still loves her and continue doing what she think is right for other children.

It is very important to provide the refugee children with proper education. Besides 3M, the children were taught manners and discipline. Teachers helped them to get prepared and whenever there is an opportunity to settle down, those who are literate will be in advantage. In 5-10 years time, if this batch of grown adults has zero skills, no direction of what to do next but yet still have to survived in an unfavorable situation, what will be the first thing come to their mind? I cannot imagine the chaos in community and the insecurity among Malaysians at that time.

So, thank you teacher Stella and all the good Samaritans for your sacrifices and contributions!

Teacher Stella: third from the right