UN reports over 7 million refugee children worldwide deprived of education

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has announced that nearly half of the 14.8 million eligible refugee children around the world are deprived of education.

On Monday, September 9, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported that significant challenges remain despite progress over the past five years in introducing a 2030 education strategy for refugees.

The report highlights that there are nearly 15 million refugee children globally, with 7.2 million of them lacking access to education due to various factors, including insecurity, lack of inclusive educational policies, capacity limitations, and language barriers.

The organization has called on nations to intensify efforts to address the educational needs of refugee children by 2030.

Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, stated, “Education is linked to reduced chances of teenage pregnancy and early marriage, allowing girls to shape their own futures. For boys, it decreases the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviours.”

Meanwhile, since August 2021 in Afghanistan, 2.5 million girls have been barred from receiving education. The Taliban has prohibited girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade, as well as from enrolling in public and private universities and private educational institutions.

Despite repeated calls to lift these educational and academic restrictions on girls in Afghanistan, the Taliban has not responded positively.

Addressing the educational gaps for refugee and conflict-affected children is essential. Global cooperation and commitment are needed to ensure every child has access to education, paving the way for a brighter future.

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