Education for Syrian Refugee Children

There are 1.5 million school-aged Syrian refugee children living in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, but approximately half of them do not have access to formal education. Host countries have taken generous steps to increase enrollment, such as offering free public education and opening afternoon “second shifts” at schools to accommodate more children. But barriers such as child labor, enrollment requirements, language difficulties, and a lack of affordable transportation are keeping children out of the classroom. Children with disabilities and secondary school age children are at particular risk. Human Rights Watch is working to ensure that all of these children can realize their right to education.