Learning in displacement: briefing paper on the right to education of internally displaced people

In a world where displacement situations last, displaced children’s education cannot wait until solutions to displacement are found. This paper introduces a series of case studies looking at education for internally displaced people (IDPs). The paper states that education is critical for internally displaced children, considering that it provides them with a protective function and conveys to them life-saving messages.

However, the author notes that when children grow up in displacement, their education is often interrupted or entirely forgone. For example, IDPs may find themselves without the resources needed to pay school fees or purchase other materials. Additionally, their children may stay out of school in order to work to supplement the family income.

The author deems that free and compulsory quality primary education should be available for all internally displaced children, and concludes the following: 

• education accessibility for internally displaced children requires the absence of discrimination, and free and physically accessible schools
• the form and content of education must be of good quality, and linguistically and culturally appropriate for the child
• national authorities are responsible for realising the right to education for IDPs, as part of their duty to secure the rights of those in their jurisdiction
• states have special duties to protect children’s rights, on account of children’s exceptional vulnerability
• schools should be protected from attacks and children should be free from recruitment
• internally displaced children must not be subject to the worst forms of child labour, particularly work which exposes children to physical, psychological or sexual abuse.