UNICEF - 65,000 refugee children to benefit from School Enrolment Programme in Turkey

The European Union has contributed €10 million in humanitarian aid to a UNICEF programme aimed at increasing the number of refugee children attending school in Turkey. The programme will support an estimated 65,000 Syrian and other refugee children who are out of school by increasing their access to formal and non-formal education in 17 provinces across the country.

Of the more than 1 million school-aged Syrian refugee children in Turkey, more than 640,000 are enrolled in school. However, according to the Turkish Ministry of National Education, over 400,000 children are out of school leaving them particularly vulnerable to isolation, discrimination, violence and abuse.

“Access to education not only provides opportunities to build a better future, but it also creates normalcy and a sense of safety for children who have been forced to flee conflict. This programme, in partnership with the Turkish Government supported by the European Union, will have a tremendous impact on tens of thousands of children and young people’s lives,” said UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Ms. Afshan Khan.

The school enrolment programme will offer services to ensure the most vulnerable girls and boys can access formal and non-formal education programmes. The programme also includes supporting outreach teams which identify, assess and refer children aged 5 to 17 years old to specialized services and appropriate follow-up care.

Monique Pariat, the Director-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, said: “Education is not a privilege, education is a fundamental right for all children. The European Union allocates 10% of its overall humanitarian assistance to education in emergencies to ensure that no child is left behind. With the support for school enrolment programme, we pave the way for Syrian and other refugee children in Turkey to access education and a brighter future.”

Currently there are 3.6 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, including 1.6 million children.