As all children, asylum seekers’ children have dreams and aspirations for their future. As all children, they need quality education to develop their skills and realize their full potential.
Inclusive education means all children, regardless of their differences or special needs, are studying in the same school and in the same classrooms. Inclusive schooling does more than teaching children maths and language skills; it provides them with a safe space to grow and learn basic life skills, such as cooperation, responsibility, and respect.
In Israel, there are up to 8,000 school-age children of asylum-seeking parents who are entitled to attend public schools by law – primary and secondary education in the country is mandatory. Most of the children, however, attend segregated schools and many have special needs for which there often are not enough resources.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed additional challenges to accessing quality education. Globally, 48% of refugee children are out of school due to the pandemic. In Israel, many boys and girls from the Eritrean and Sudanese communities missed out on their education due to a lack of devices and Wi-Fi connectivity to support distance learning. UNHCR procured and distributed 277 laptops and Wi-Fi adapters in schools in Tel Aviv and over 250 laptops and adapters in other cities, including Eilat, Beer Sheva, Jerusalem, Petah Tikva, Lod, and more. UNHCR also continues to work with local authorities, community activists, and partners to monitor and advance children’s access to and quality of educational opportunities. In addition, we focus on the transition to adulthood for those who are approaching the age of 18 and vocational training for adults to help them access education as a tool through which they can make a positive change in their lives.
“What do you want to become when you grow up?” – I asked Selam, a 9-year old Israel-born Eritrean girl whom I met in one of the schools of Eilat. “I dream to be a pop-star or maybe a doctor” – Selam replied.
“You still have time to decide”, I replied. “Yeah, I do”, she replied.
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