Among the nationalities registered with UNHCR, only Sudanese, South Sudanese, Syrians and most recently Yemeni children have access to education in public schools in Egypt at equal footing to nationals. Other groups are unable to access public schools and have to learn outside the formal education system, in refugee community schools, or enroll in private schools which many cannot afford.
While enrolment at primary school level is considered high, at approximately 83%, drop-out levels are high in secondary schools reaching 20% as per education grant, Ministry of Education (MoE) records and community school enrolment data available to UNHCR.
During the 2019 Participatory Assessment, children and their families cited education as their highest priority. Many refugee families with children reported language barriers, issues of harassment and lack of resources to cover education expenses as hindrances to access education. Many UASC have been out of school for years before they get the opportunity to enrol again. As a result, they are sometimes placed in grades that do not match their age, their educational or psychological needs affecting their progress. In addition, lack of tertiary education opportunities remains a major factor contributing to the drop-out rate at secondary school level.
UNHCR and Education working group members initiated discussions on a Transition Action Plan to enable all refugees to enrol in public schools for the 2020/2021 academic year. UNHCR will support the MoE with the necessary training and equipment, if resources are made available, and will increase its advocacy efforts to ensure equal access to public schools for refugees of all nationalities. UNHCR will continue to aim at higher enrolment rates in primary schools, and seek to enhance enrolment and retention rates at secondary school.
Through the Education Management and Information System (EMIS), the identification of priorities and programmatic responses will be enhanced. Monitoring of schools attended by refugees will be strengthened to ensure child protection mechanisms are in place.
UNHCR will provide education grants to vulnerable students to enable them to enrol in schools. With the anticipated level of funding, UNHCR will be able to provide 6,200 households (approx. 15,500 refugee students) with education grants to enrol in public or private schools.
In addition, 140 UASC and 261 children with disability will be supported with an enhanced education grant to enrol in schools that have the model of education and care suitable to their needs.
With the available resources, the office will be able to meet only 40% of the cost of education for UASC and 25% of the educational needs of all other children. A targeted approach will be implemented which entails that, since they have full access to public schools, Sudanese, South Sudanese and Yemeni children will no longer be provided with education grants to enrol in private schools. In addition, UNHCR will seek to improve the quality of education in public schools to help them enhance teaching skills and achieve their full educational potentials. Significant funding is required to support the expansion of schools to accommodate refugee students and provide them with the required support.
UNHCR will seek to increase access to tertiary education programmes by African students and will advocate for equity of higher education opportunities for all refugee students. By providing a comprehensive education service to refugee children and youth groups, UNHCR will maximize their protection space, enable them to be active members in their community, and prepare them for the labour market.
If fully funded, UNHCR will provide education grants to 6,800 households (approx. 17,000 students) with the aim to increase the enrolment rate to 90%. However, if the lack of resources remains a constraint, only up to 80% can be achieved.