Empowering refugees through education: Teacher shares approach to overcoming challenges
Thanusha Ramanieswaran said the most common obstacle was language barrier, as many refugee students have limited proficiency in languages.
SHAH ALAM - Teaching refugees involves navigating a range of unique challenges stemming from their diverse backgrounds, experiences and needs, requiring innovative and adaptable approaches in the classroom.
In Malaysia, a group of dedicated teachers is making remarkable strides in overcoming the numerous challenges of educating refugees.
Despite limited resources, language barriers and the complexities of displaced lives, these educators were determined to provide quality education and a sense of normalcy to their students.
Their efforts were not only transforming the lives of refugee children but also demonstrating the powerful impact of resilience, compassion and commitment in the face of adversity.
A teacher, who teaches refugee students, Thanusha Ramanieswaran said she has always been passionate about accessible and quality education.
"I found my current workplace, which focuses on transforming the urban poor, particularly the B40 and refugee communities, through education.
"I believe in education's power to empower individuals and communities, seeing it as a crucial tool for rebuilding lives, fostering resilience and promoting long-term stability.
"I am deeply committed to social justice and equality. Teaching refugees allows me to contribute to a more inclusive society and advocate for the rights and opportunities of marginalised populations," she said.
The teacher at Dignity for Children Foundation emphasised that teaching refugees presented a unique set of challenges due to the diverse backgrounds, experiences and needs of the students.
The most common obstacle, she said was language barrier as many refugee students have limited proficiency in the language.
To address this, she said incorporate visual aids, movies and simple language to facilitate understanding.
"Trauma and emotional distress also significantly impact my students. Many carry trauma from their past experiences, affecting their learning and behaviour.
"Our school offers free wellness services and teaches social-emotional learning to help students regulate their emotions better.
"Another challenge is the disrupted learning some students experience, having missed years of formal education in their home countries before fleeing.
"I use differentiated learning in my classrooms to accommodate varying academic levels and often employ alternative assessment methods beyond written tests and quizzes," she added.
Thanusha also highlighted the legal and administrative challenges, such as navigating complexities related to refugee status, enrollment and attendance.
She said learning about relevant policies and procedures has been helpful adding that she advocated for policies that improve access to education for refugee students.
"Overcoming these challenges requires patience, creativity, cultural sensitivity and a collaborative approach.
"I view these obstacles not as insurmountable barriers but as opportunities to find innovative ways to support my students and help them lead meaningful lives free from fear," she said.
Thanusha advised educators teaching refugees and those interested in doing so, to start with empathy.
She said she understood their challenging circumstances and approached them with patience and care and listen to their stories to build trust and respect.
"Approach cultural differences humbly, be open to learning from students and their families and embrace a journey of unlearning and learning to create a supportive and inclusive environment where refugee children can thrive academically and emotionally," she said.
