Refugee education during COVID-19 - Crisis and opportunity

This paper presents the synthesised outcome of five INEE refugee round table events, held 20-24 July 2020, highlighting challenges and recommendations, and giving voice to young refugees. The events highlighted the following key messages:

• Listen to refugee children and youth and enable them to participate in decisions affecting their education in line with principles of community engagement set out in INEE’s Minimum Standards for Education: Preparedness, Response and Recovery. 
   
• Ensure equal access to quality education for all refugee children and youth, including access to quality distance education during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The right to education is not suspended in emergencies or as a result of forced displacement. Refugee and IDP children and youth have the right to education and hope for a better future.
   
• Hosting governments should ensure that documentation and certification for refugees and migrants are not a barrier to access education. This could for example include adopting the UNESCO Qualifications Passports for Refugees and Vulnerable Migrants (UQP).
   
• Refugee and migrant supporting agencies should ensure greater universal access to digital technologies for refugees and migrants and ensure equitable access to technology for girls and women.