Why we must join together to educate refugee children.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), 4 million refugee children do not attend school. Refugee youth are five times more likely to be out of school than the global average. Countries where refugees have sought asylum have opened national school systems to refugees, but most refugees are unable to pay for the associated costs of uniforms, supplies, meals and travel.
Despite the dramatic growth in refugee numbers there have been positive developments in policy affecting refugee learners. Host countries that previously denied refugees the right to attend school are changing their laws. In 2019 Kenya included refugees in the national education systems. Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon have all committed to including Syrian refugee children in their national education systems. Host countries recognize that denying refugees the right to a future has long term negative implications such as extremism and crime. International aid agencies recognize that lack of long-term solutions leads to deadly migration decisions. Thousands of refugees have perished in the desert or the sea attempting to reach Europe.
The enormity and endurance of the world’s refugee crisis requires broader worldwide innovation, participation and cooperation. Governments, international organizations, private donors-and above all refugees themselves-must work together to develop solutions to improve the lives of the millions of refugees. Solutions cannot lie solely on the shoulders of host governments and the United Nations-the scope of the migration crisis is simply too big.
Worldwide, the evidence is overwhelming: education leads to higher wages, improved health outcomes and a better future for all children. When refugee youth are not in school they are especially vulnerable to dangerous situations such as sexual and labor exploitation. Girls are more likely to be forced into early marriage or face unwanted pregnancies. Above all education offers refugee children hope for a brighter future and a better life.
Education is the transformative tool that leads to a better and brighter future. RISE is changing the world by giving refugee youth the chance to develop the skills needed to solve the challenging problems our world is facing.