Every child deserves access to quality education?

Latest UNHCR Education Report outlines challenges faced by nearly 15 million refugee children?

Last week, UNHCR published its Refugee Education Report 2023 which paints the most accurate picture yet of the state of refugee education and enrolment.??

Drawing on data from more than 70 countries across the world for the 2021-22 academic year, the report outlines the challenges faced by refugee children, while also highlighting the achievements and aspirations of refugee youth who, with the right support, have attained the highest of educational goals through perseverance, resilience and sheer hard work.??

The statistics are staggering.??

More than 7 million refugee children are currently missing out on an education.?

By the end of 2022, the number of school-aged refugees rose nearly 50 per cent to reach 14.8 million, compared with 10 million a year earlier. This increase was driven mainly by the exodus of refugees following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.?

Of the total 14.8 million school-aged refugee children, 51 per cent are estimated to be out of school, meaning more than 7 million refugee children are currently missing out on an education.??

These numbers are nothing short of alarming. Refugee and displaced children already face unimaginable hardships and without access to education, the consequences could be severely detrimental.?

As the summer holidays come to an end and schools across the UK reopen, we can't overlook the millions of refugee children worldwide who have had their education disrupted.?

Forced to flee and uprooted from their homes and schools?

For young refugees forced to flee their homes, the decision to leave often means putting their education on hold. The upheaval caused by conflict, persecution or natural disasters disrupts their lives, uprooting them from their schools and interrupting the familiar routines of learning.??

Education not only empowers refugee children and equips them with knowledge and skills, but also serves as a shield to safeguard them. Without it, refugee children become vulnerable to forced recruitment into armed groups, child labour, sexual exploitation and child marriage.?

For girls, education can help lower the likelihood of early marriage and pregnancy?

For girls in particular, education, specifically higher education, can help lower the likelihood of early marriage and pregnancy, allowing girls to take charge of their own destinies. This is especially important as the report illustrates that on average, there is broad gender parity between male–female access rates among refugee learners.??

Our mission is to ensure refugee boys and girls have equal access to national education systems.?

Enrolment and closing the gender parity gap is a start, but where refugees are in school, the importance of receiving quality education is equally essential.?

Unfortunately, many young refugees and internally displaced children face further barriers to accessing quality education including language barriers, missed schooling, financial difficulties, lack of family support and trauma.?

Attending school can be a financial hurdle for young refugees?

The cost of attending school can often be a significant hurdle for refugee families. Even when schooling is meant to be free, additional costs like uniforms, books and transportation make education financially difficult and unattainable for many.?

Some regions are severely under-resourced, and simply may not even have a school for refugee children to go to, while existing schools may be overcrowded and lack basic facilities. Additionally, teachers in refugee schools may be under-trained and ill-equipped.?

These factors make it exceptionally challenging for refugee children to access adequate educational opportunities.?

With more than three-quarters of the world’s refugees hosted by low- and middle-income countries, these countries cannot be expected to shoulder responsibility for providing education to refugees alone. These countries need support in order to provide refugees with the same educational access and rights that are enjoyed by learners from the host country.?

UNHCR is actively engaged in supporting refugees through education??

UNHCR, with the invaluable support of our partners, is actively engaged in supporting refugees and host countries. From building schools, training teachers, distributing essential educational supplies, equipping schools with essential resources, promoting inclusivity in education, and extending support to students and their families, we are committed to unleashing the true potential of refugees.?

Education is not just a fundamental human right; it is a beacon of hope that every child deserves. Through our various initiatives such as “Educate A Child,” “Primary Impact” and “The DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) Scholarship Programme,” UNHCR has a strong commitment to supporting displaced students across various age groups.

How is UNHCR supporting refugee students??

Last year, I had the privilege of meeting several Syrian refugee university scholars in Lebanon from UNHCR’s DAFI Programme, which offers qualified refugee and returnee students the chance to pursue an undergraduate degree in their host country or home country.?

I heard from the scholars and participants about the impact of UNHCR’s support, the barriers facing Syrian refugees in the region, and their hopes and dreams for the future.??

It was truly inspiring to see the talent, resilience and determination in these university scholars and the remarkable impact of the programmes we support.?

We are at the halfway point to the 2030 “deadline” for the UN Sustainable Development Goals on equitable and universal access to quality education at all levels. Refugee children must surely be part of that goal, but unless their access to education is given a major boost they will be left behind.??

These initiatives can help provide access to quality education, safe learning environments and psychosocial support. By collaborating with local communities, governments and partners, we can work towards ensuring that these young minds are nurtured and empowered.?

With the right support, refugee children can achieve remarkable things?

Despite the harrowing statistics, in the pages of our report, you will find the stories of children who have defied the odds. Refugee children are not statistics, but future doctors, lawyers, artists, scientists, engineers and leaders in the making. Refugees are a testament to the extraordinary potential that lies within every child when given the chance to learn and thrive.?

Every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their circumstances. With the right support, refugee children can achieve remarkable things.??

So, let this report be a call to action. Let it inspire you to join us in our mission to provide hope and opportunities to refugee children. Your support enables us to set up safe and inclusive classrooms, provide essential school supplies, and offer mental health support to help displaced children overcome trauma and rebuild their lives.?

I want to express my gratitude to our dedicated team, our partners and all those who support our mission. Your unwavering commitment to the cause of refugee children and the power of education is truly changing lives.?