Turkey: UNICEF cites risk of 'lost generation' of Syrian children despite enrolment increase

“Unless more resources are provided, there is still a very real risk of a 'lost generation' of Syrian children, deprived of the skills they will one day need to rebuild their country,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth, speaking after a visit to southern Turkey.

According to UNICEF, nearly half a million Syrian refugee children are currently enrolled in schools across Turkey. But over 40 per cent of children of school-going age – or 380,000 child refugees – are still missing out on an education, despite a more than 50 per cent increase in enrolment since last June.

“For the first time since the start of the Syrian crisis, there are more Syrian children in Turkey attending class than there are out of school,” said Forsyth. “Turkey should be commended for this huge achievement.”

Turkey is home to more than 1.2 million child refugees, making it the top child refugee hosting country in the world.

In partnership with the Government of Turkey, UNICEF is helping strengthen education systems, increase access to learning and improve the quality of inclusive education for Syrian and vulnerable Turkish children.

Since 2013, UNICEF has helped build, renovate or refurnish nearly 400 schools, and trained some 20,000 Syrian volunteer teachers. Approximately 13,000 teachers receive monthly incentives.

Efforts are also under way to include Syrian children in a national programme that grants cash allowances to vulnerable families for them to send, and keep, their children in school.

Photo: UNICEF/UN048823/Ergen

Source: www.justearthnews.com