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Summary of "Education of Syrian Refugee Children: Managing the Crisis in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan"

Core Content

This report examines the education challenges faced by Syrian refugee children in Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan, focusing on four key areas: Access, Management, Society, and Quality. It provides an overview of the scale of the refugee crisis, the impact on host countries, and policy considerations to improve the education system for both refugees and host-country children.

Key Findings

• Scale of the Crisis:
  From 2011 to September 2015, half of Syria’s population (about 11.5 million) was displaced, with 7.6 million internally displaced and 4 million as refugees. The refugee influx has significantly altered the demographics of Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan, increasing their populations by 25%, 10%, and 10–20%, respectively.

• Education Access:
  Less than 40% of Syrian refugee children are enrolled in formal education. Many face barriers such as school space shortages, language differences, transportation, parental documentation, child labor, and school fees.
  Strategies to Improve Access:

  • Develop a coordinated strategy for out-of-school children.
  • Use geographic information systems to map refugee locations and improve school space utilization.
  • Create certified, full-time, quality educational alternatives involving multiple stakeholders.
  • Add school shifts to accommodate more students while maintaining instructional quality.
  • Implement innovative financing and building plans to support long-term educational needs.

• Management of Refugee Education:
  Education provision involves multiple actors, including host governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and the refugee community.
  Policy Considerations:

  • Include long-term development planning alongside humanitarian responses.
  • Prioritize funding for formal education.
  • Build government capacity to manage the crisis.
  • Enhance data collection and information systems for better decision-making.
  • Use technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of education programs.

• Societal Impact:
  The presence of large refugee populations poses challenges to social cohesion and stability.
  Policy Considerations:

  • Weigh integration vs. separation in public schools, and adopt a deliberative strategy.
  • Coordinate curriculum standards and certification exams at a regional level.
  • Develop programs to support Syrian employment and reduce child labor.
  • Implement national-level programs to address the psychosocial needs of refugee students.

• Quality of Education:
  Host countries face strain on public education systems, which impacts both refugee and host-country children.
  Policy Considerations:

  • Ensure adequate instructional time in both first and second shifts.
  • Support teachers with training and resources.
  • Integrate new schools and shifts into national monitoring systems.
  • Focus on the education needs of host-country nationals alongside refugees.

Policy Implications and Trade-Offs

• The report highlights the need for innovative strategies to coordinate efforts, share knowledge, and improve efficiency in refugee education.
• A deliberative approach is essential to address the complex trade-offs between access, quality, and societal integration.
• Long-term planning is crucial, given that refugee situations are expected to last for decades.
• Shared responsibility among governments, international organizations, and the private sector is necessary to sustain the education system.

Conclusion

The education of Syrian refugee children is a critical component of the broader refugee crisis, with far-reaching implications for both the refugees and the host countries. The report concludes that while access is the most urgent priority, a balanced approach that considers quality, societal integration, and long-term sustainability is essential. Further research and policy development are needed to address the challenges and ensure that refugee children receive the education necessary to build a better future.

Additional Notes

• The report is part of the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy (CMEPP) and was supported by philanthropic contributions.
• It includes figures and tables to illustrate the scale of the refugee crisis and the distribution of refugee populations.
• The authors acknowledge the contributions of various stakeholders, including UN agencies, governments, NGOs, and academic institutions.