The REC was officially opened by Ms. Anna Maria Pelosi who represented the office of UNHCR Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. The program included speeches function which includes speeches by Ms. Pelosi (representing UNHCR), Mr. Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman (representing FGN) and Ab. Halim Ismail (representing WADAH). This was followed by a choir session and speeches by the REC students in both English and Malay.  Apart from the parents and local community leaders in the Seberang Perai District, a number of Rohingya community leaders including Ustaz Mohd. Karim Fazal Karim from the Majlis Ulama Rohingya (Council of the Ulamas of the Rohingya in Malaysia), Mr. Abdul Hamid, President of the Rohingya Society of Malaysia (RSM) were also present.

The establishment of  REC was a result of an MOU that was signed between Persatuan Wadah Pencerdasan Umat (WADAH) and UNHCR on 26 July 2010.  The MOU seeks to establish collaboration between the two parties in the work of establishing an educational institution for the benefit of the refugee children of the Rohingya community in Seberang Perai Tengah District, Penang.

Besides collaborating with UNHCR, WADAH has also commissioned the Future Global Network Foundation (FGN) to assist in the planning and implementation aspects to ensure the success of the school project.
The project has brought benefit to about 100 children who have no other means of education or avenues for advancement.

The education centre that started since 1 July 2010 is located in Taman Arowana, Permatang Pauh, Penang. Responsibility for teaching and day-to-day management of the centre devolves upon the Penang branch of WADAH.  Ahmad Zaki Abdul Rahman (a retiree and qualified Chartered Accountant) has been appointed Headmaster of REC. At the moment there are six teachers (3 of them retirees) in charge of teaching Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics, Science as well as Moral Studies and Civics. Students are also required to be involved in co-curricular activities as well as upkeeping the school premises in order to ensure cleanliness and a healthy environments.  These activities also inculcate a sense of belonging as well as civic consciousness among the students.