Author(s)

Abstract

Key outcome

Ensure that all refugee children realize their right to a quality education and are included in national education systems, which are adequately supported to cater to the needs of both host community and refugee children: and that temporary education programmes, when needed, are designed, and implemented to support a transition into the national education system.

Background

Of the almost 15.5 million refugee children worldwide, more than half are not in school, with significant additional challenges for girls, children with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. The scale and increasingly protracted nature of displacement makes it critical to act so that refugee children can realize their right to education.

Access to inclusive and equitable quality education creates opportunities for employment and self-reliance, the ability to contribute to host country economies, and to eventually return to origin countries or resettle to third countries. It is also critical for stability and social cohesion in host countries, and for peacebuilding in countries of origin.

Including refugee children in national education systems is the most sustainable way to achieve scale. It represents a long-term investment and a more socially inclusive approach than through parallel provision. Investing in capacities of the national education system increases overall access, quality and resilience benefiting all learners.