UNHCR, UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration have called on European countries to increase support and resources in their school systems so that all refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant children have access to quality education. In an advocacy brief, the three UN agencies show the challenges that migrant children and adolescents face in accessing education in Europe. These challenges include:

• Insufficient financial resources
• Lack of space in schools, psychosocial support and catch-up classes
• Shortage of teachers who are trained to work with migrant and refugee children
• Language barriers

The agencies urge European countries to enhance the links between schools and key public services. Access to early childhood education and promoting the integration of young people into upper secondary education and training programmes are also critical to ensure access to quality education.

Read the advocacy brief