EDUCATION FOR ROHINGYA REFUGEE CHILDREN IN MALAYSIA: A PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

• Published in: Journal of Lifestyle and SDG'S Review
• Main Author: Ali S.S.M.; Ahmad Y.; Tahir N.S.; Ayob N.A.; Aziz N.A.; Mustapha S.Z.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Editora Alumni In 2025
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85216460910&doi=10.47172%2f2965-730X.SDGsReview.v5.n02.pe04312&partnerID=40&md5=19cf09c1b11b90d4eb0c45e39028498f

Objective: Rohingya refugee children are among the most vulnerable groups in the world. Despite the persecution that they received from the Myanmar government, the negative stigma towards them has worsened their conditions. Hence, education is the only way to change their lives across generations. However, while residing in Malaysia, these children have limitations in accessing formal education in national schools and most probably enrol in Alternative Learning Centres (ALC). Consequently, this study argues that every child deserves the right to education regardless of their status and must be in line with the aims of the SDGs and other international legal frameworks. Theoretical Framework: The Sustainable Development Goals on “Quality Education” emphasize the need to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote opportunities for lifelong learning for all. Method: In-depth interviews with informants involving four key persons representing policymakers and implementers, and 10 Rohingya parents who registered their children in alternative learning centres were collected with the aim to examine the extent of quality education being emphasised for Rohingya children in Malaysia. Results and Discussion: The result of the analysis found that the Rohingya refugee children received limited quality education due to no access to formal education, in which education was only provided at alternative learning centres. Nonetheless, both the provider (the alternative learning centres) and receiver (Rohingya parents and children) still struggle with a number of issues and challenges. Originality/Value: This study is unique in that it examines the educational needs of Rohingya refugee children in Malaysia in a timely and context-specific manner, particularly through the lens of international human rights and the sustainable development framework. It highlights the gap between global educational goals and local realities, making it an important contribution to the field of refugee education. © 2025, Editora Alumni In. All rights reserved.