Back to school around the world: but Syrian refugees at risk of missing out

5 Sep 2016

Students on the first day back at Tabarre in Haiti

Millions of children around the world have been going back to school with a smile on their face.

In countries on every continent, girls and boys have returned to classrooms after their summer break.

Sadly, thousands of Syrian refugee children whose families fled to neighbouring countries still don’t know if they will be getting an education this year.

World leaders promised in February to get one million refugee children into school this year in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

But many international donors have still to step up and provide the $1.4 billion in funds needed to do that.

Jordan has announced a set of measures to allow tens of thousands of additional Syrian children into its public schools.

But urgent action is needed for the rest of the refugees in these countries who are waiting to discover their fate.

So – as you look at these pictures of children happily going back to school, remember the Syrian refugees who are at risk of missing out. And then share our special Facebook “You Promised” graphic at the end of this article.

HAITI

Students on the first day back at the National School of Tabbare in the capital Port au Prince.

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VIETNAM

First-year students from a middle school mark the new academic year in Hanoi.

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RUSSIA

First-grade students attend a Knowledge Day ceremony as they return to school in Kaliningrad.

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FRANCE

A smiling boy at Paul Lapie Primary School in Bordeaux.

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