Sustainable Education: Unlocking Hope for Refugee Children

Abstract

This theoretical paper critically examines the education of refugee children in primary schools in South Africa. Early and primary education plays a pivotal role in equipping children with essential skills for future academic success. Therefore, it is essential that all children have equitable access to quality education, facilitating their optimal development without encountering barriers along their educational journey. This lays the foundation for their subsequent education and overall development. This article operates under the premise that despite existing policies, including national and international legal frameworks, advocating for equal educational access and quality provision for refugee and asylum-seeking children, the historical and ongoing challenges faced by this demographic, alongside instances of insufficient access and inadequate quality of provision affecting a broader refugee population, necessitate immediate attention. Failure to address these issues could have adverse effects on the academic attainment and future prospects of refugee children.