Exploring ways to provide education in conflict zones: Implementations and challenges

• Main Authors: Badrasawi, Kamal J I, Osman Ahmed, Iman, Eid, Iyad M.
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General); L Education (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/60223/3/_IIIPeace2017%20Broucher%20v3.7%20%281%29.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/60223/1/Exploring%20Ways%20to%20Provide%20Education%20in%20Conflict%20Zones_Implementations%20and%20Challenges.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/60223/

Millions of children are out of school in conflict-affected countries, being deprived of their fundamental educational rights without any hope of immediate peace or solutions. This study explored ways to provide education to children in conflict zones, and to identify the challenges to access and implementation as mooted in the literature. It also presents two short case studies conducted with Palestinian and Syrian refugees residing in Malaysia revealing their perceptions towards their current situation and future orientations in terms of education. This study utilized an exploratory research methodology. The results show that during conflicts or crises, education is not given very high priority compared to other basic needs such as food, water, shelter or protection. Governmental and non-governmental organizations have provided a considerable number of educational initiatives and programs for children affected by conflict, with a clear focus on the Middle East, in order to secure children’s right for education and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to improve themselves, their families and society. Nevertheless, these organizations have been unable to fully meet the educational demands, due to the huge number of children out of school. The challenges facing these organizations, the families and their children in implementation and access to education can be categorized into either political, financial, psychological, economic, administrative or institutional, bearing in mind that each country has its own special circumstances. In addition, many methods for providing and improving implementation and access to education have been documented, and the results of the interviews are consistent with the findings of recent studies in terms of the current situation of affected-families and children, their educational needs, the roles of parents, teachers, communities and NGOs, as well as the challenges. Most importantly, the participants of the study stressed the importance of having a positive mental attitude and hope for a better quality of life in the future. This study recommends an increased effort to be made in order to provide education for increasing numbers of children affected by conflict by making use of all possible means including new advances in technology.