Education: A lifeline for refugee children as the new school year begins
Education: A lifeline for refugee children as the new school year begins
Left to right: Jeanette Baxter, Denys Liubou Savko, Jake-Rose Brown, and Saeedeh pictured in the library of Avenue Junior School. The school was instrumental in launching Schools of Sanctuary, a national network of over 400 primary and secondary schools, nurseries and sixth forms in the UK, all committed to creating a culture of inclusion for refugees and people seeking asylum.
As schools across Europe reopen their doors this September, UNHCR highlights the critical role of education in the lives of refugee and displaced children. The start of the school year marks more than just a return to classrooms – it represents a renewed opportunity for stability and hope for millions of refugee children and youth.
Across the region, over 20 million forcibly displaced and stateless people, including at least five million refugees from Ukraine, are navigating the challenges of rebuilding their lives. For children and youth, access to education is not only a right – it is a lifeline. It offers protection from exploitation, a sense of normalcy, and the foundation for a brighter future.
“Whenever I travel and meet the people whom we care for – be they students, families or children – I invariably witness the transformational power of education,” said Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “The rhythms of refugees’ lives, like ours, are built around the everyday routines – and the predictable safety – of going to school."
Recent data from the Socio-Economic Insights Survey (SEIS) shows a positive shift: nearly 80 per cent of Ukrainian refugee households now report that their children are enrolled in national education systems in host countries. However, challenges remain. Many children still face barriers to formal schooling, including language gaps, limited school infrastructure and lack of specialized support – especially for unaccompanied children and those with specific needs.
UNHCR works with Governments, partner organizations focusing on education and donors to reinforce efforts to include all forcibly displaced and stateless children and youth in national education systems. This includes removing administrative and financial barriers, expanding school capacity and ensuring that remote learning does not replace formal education.
As the school year begins, UNHCR urges host countries to continue building inclusive classrooms where every child – regardless of origin – can learn, grow, and thrive.
