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Rohingya Children Face Fear in Malaysian Schools
28 Aug
Summary
- Rohingya children barred from Malaysian public schools attend unlicensed learning centers.
- Community-run schools face raids and pressure to keep a low profile.
- Some Rohingya families have been evicted from villages and faced detention.
Education has become a perilous endeavor for Rohingya refugee children in Malaysia amidst a significant surge in hostility. These children, denied access to Malaysian public schools, often attend unlicensed community-run learning centers. However, these centers are now facing increased scrutiny, with reports of police raids, photographing students, and ordering them home.
One learning center in northern Malaysia experienced a police raid last month, causing fear among students and families. In Selangor, a school suspended classes and reopened with strict instructions for students to avoid uniforms and leave immediately after school to remain inconspicuous. This atmosphere of fear is leading some schools to close and has resulted in the eviction of Rohingya families from their homes.
Recent evictions in a village near Penang led to approximately 120 refugees, including many children, seeking shelter at the UN refugee agency's office in Kuala Lumpur, where they were temporarily detained. The situation reflects a concerning shift in sentiment, as the community that once felt welcomed now lives with pervasive fear and uncertainty about their safety and acceptance.
