Despite progress, more to be done on unlocking power of refugee education

Five years on from the launch of UNHCR’s Refugee Education Strategy 2030, this year's refugee education report reveals that while remarkable progress has been achieved in global refugee education and enrollment, significant challenges remain, with nearly half of the world’s 14.8 million school-aged refugee children still out of school.

Data from 65 refugee hosting countries analyzed in the report shows that approximately 7.2 million refugee children are missing out on education due to a host of factors, including insecurity, a lack of inclusive education policies, capacity constraints, and language barriers, risking young people’s future prosperity and denying them the chance to fulfill their potential.

Average gross enrollment rates for refugees for the academic year 2022-23 stood at 37 percent for pre-primary, a more encouraging 65 percent for primary and 42 percent for secondary. Global enrollment of refugees in tertiary education, where barriers include high tuition fees and a lack of reliable connectivity, did not change compared to last year’s reporting of 7 percent, the halfway point in reaching the target of 15 percent by 2030 (15by30). Despite an increase in the global population of tertiary school age refugees in 2023, this figure remained at 7 percent due to a real increase in the number of refugees enrolled in tertiary education by nearly 50,000.

The report also shows that gender disparities in access to education for refugees persist, and more than 600,000 displaced Ukrainian children and youth remain out of school due to the ongoing war at home, as they begin their fourth disrupted school year.

“Education can be life-saving – the evidence is clear,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. “Education is associated with a lower likelihood of adolescent pregnancy and early marriage, giving girls the possibility to shape their own destinies. For boys, more years in education translates into a lower likelihood of risky behavior, and hence into less violence and victimization. And for all, education opens doors for greater access to the labor market and enables refugees to earn a living and support their families. Unequivocally, education translates into better lives. As we approach 2030, let us reaffirm our commitment to the right of children and youth to learn.”

Despite the hurdles, promising progress has been made over the last five years, with the new report indicating that access to education for refugees has expanded in some key hosting countries. Furthermore, although few refugees sit for national examinations, pass rates continue to be high and sometimes even exceed national averages.

Among the factors contributing to progress are the steadfast commitment of education and government stakeholders, higher education institutions and the expansion of flagship programs such as the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative, known as the DAFI scholarship program. The report also found that sport offers a lifeline, bringing together children and youth of all backgrounds around a shared interest that not only builds relationships, but also fosters a child’s sense of worth, safety and belonging. 

Recently, the Global Refugee Forum in 2023 helped to translate the principle of international responsibility-sharing into concrete action, through high-level pledges and contributions, as well as the exchange of evidence-based good practices.

UNHCR calls on hosting states, governments, donors and partners to continue and accelerate sustainable international cooperation and innovative partnerships to address the education needs of refugees by 2030. By boosting resources, expanding programs and using effective tools to reach displaced or stateless children, we can build the foundations for a future that will enable refugee children and youth to learn, thrive and develop their potential.

Originally posted by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.