Rohingya refugee students in Bangladesh have begun sitting their first-ever matriculation examinations under the Examination Board of Rohingya Refugees (EBRR), launched inside camps in Cox’s Bazar on March 26. The initiative represents a major milestone for thousands of learners striving for formal academic recognition after years of disrupted education.

Officials confirmed that all question papers and answer scripts were handed over in advance to the Armed Police Battalion under tight security protocols. The materials are being distributed to designated examination centres across the camps in coordination with relevant authorities and EBRR representatives to ensure safe and timely delivery.

Photographs released by the board show the formal handover process at the EBRR office, attended by committee members and security personnel, underscoring the emphasis on transparency and integrity in conducting the exams.

According to Rohingya Khobor, community leaders and educators see the examinations as a “turning point” for Rohingya youth, many of whom have faced years without access to recognized curricula. The report noted that families across several camps expressed cautious optimism, viewing the exams as a rare opportunity for students to pursue higher education pathways.

The examination format closely follows the matriculation system used in Myanmar, allowing students to continue learning within a familiar academic framework despite displacement. Education advocates say this alignment could help Rohingya students reintegrate into formal systems in the future, should conditions permit.

Operating within the refugee camps, the EBRR aims to improve education standards and provide a structured pathway for academic progression. Community members have widely welcomed the initiative, describing education as a vital lifeline for the younger generation amid ongoing uncertainty over their future.

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