According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), refugee children are five times more likely to be out of school than other children. In fact, roughly 4 million school-age refugees are not receiving an education. These numbers are distressing, considering the fact that education is not only a basic human right, but that it also provides necessary safety and stability for these children who have been placed in an extremely vulnerable position.

The UNHCR defines a refugee as “someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence.” Today, the world is facing the worst refugee crisis in history, with a current refugee population of approximately 25.4 million people. This number keeps increasing every day, as more and more people are faced with unspeakable violence and trauma that forces them to leave their homes behind. On average, refugees are unable to return to their homes for 20 years. This is a very significant portion of a person’s life, especially for the millions of children who are going through a crucial stage in learning and development.

Education provides many vital benefits for refugee children. It equips them with the necessary tools to build a future, and the amount of time they stay in school makes a great difference. In fact, the UNHCR reports that in Uganda, every year a refugee child spends in school increases their income by 3 percent. In addition, education provides a safe place for children who have gone through the trauma of leaving their homes behind, many of whom have lived in violent and frightening environments. The constant presence of routine and support from teachers in their lives helps them cope and recover. Many times, refugees are still faced with dangers even after fleeing their homes such as child labor and sexual exploitation, and school helps provide protection as well. The benefits from education will extend far into the future in the lives of these children and the lives of others. These children are the futures of their home countries, and if they receive the education they deserve, they will have the capability of building a better future for themselves and for their countries when they return home.

Education has been explicitly established as a basic human right. In fact, Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to education.” There is also specific international law recognizing refugees in particular. According to Article 22 of the Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, “the contracting states shall accord to refugees treatment as is accorded to nationals with respect to elementary education.” Refugees are entitled to and deserving of the same quality and amount of education as other children.

However, refugees face many barriers to education, as 86 percent of refugees are living in less-developed countries. Things such as shortages of space, language barriers, and expenses prohibit refugee children from receiving a formal education. In addition, many children are only provided with emergency education programs. These are essential in the beginning stages of transition from their home countries as they provide safety and stability, but are not designed to maintain a child’s education long-term.

In order to provide long-term, sustainable education for these millions of refugee children, it is vital that the international community implements innovative solutions. Governments hosting refugees have a duty to care for them and provide them with an education. In many places, refugee children are integrated into public schooling systems, or they receive education in the refugee camps. Because of this, refugees need to be fully included in educational budgeting and planning. Emergency education programs, although very important, are not sufficient as they do not provide education in the long term. Therefore, states need to think ahead and create long-term education programs in preparation for refugees.

In addition, governments need to make good use of their infrastructure. Many refugee children are not receiving a formal education because school space is limited. However, in some locations schools are starting to introduce second shifts of schooling to accommodate refugees, where there is a sort of second school day run after school hours. Also, buildings that were not originally intended to be schools can be used for educational purposes in the short term. Creative uses of already existing infrastructure can help save money and provide educational space for more children. Use of infrastructure is only one way to make education more accessible to refugee children: governments can also implement transportation programs, specialized training programs for teachers, and creative uses of technology. Today, technology has the potential to be a very powerful asset as it can be used to reach people around the globe. Educational programs can be provided through technology if there are large shortages of space or a lack of transportation.

The international community needs to seriously address the lack of education for refugees. Not only is education a basic human right, but it is crucial for both the present and the future of these children’s lives. Nations home to refugees need to take the responsibility of providing education seriously, and need to prioritize education in their financial planning and budgeting. Through creative uses of space and technology, a huge difference can be made in the lives of refugee children. This will be no easy task, however, and in order to accomplish this goal, the international community needs to come together and protect the lives and futures of these children.

Molly McLeod is an undergraduate student studying International Relations at the College of William & Mary.

References

Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. July 28, 1951. United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 189, p. 137. Retrieved from https://www.refworld.org/docid/3be01b964.html

Culbertson, S., & Constant, L. (2015). Education of Syrian Refugee Children?: Managing the Crisis in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation.

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Right to Education. (n.d.) Understanding Education as a Right. Retrieved from

http://www.right-to-education.org/page/understanding-education-right UN General Assembly. (1948). "Universal declaration of human rights" (217 [III] A). Paris. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/

UNHCR. (n.d.) Education. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/education.html

UNHCR. (n.d.) Figures at a Glance. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/figures-at-a-glance.html 

UNHCR. (2016) Missing Out: Refugee Education in Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/57d9d01d0

UNHCR. (n.d.) What is a Refugee? Retrieved from https://www.unrefugees.org/refugee-facts/what-is-a-refugee/