* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Syrian refugee children living in Istanbul have been taking part in a summer pre-school programme to help them prepare for their first year of schooling in Turkey.
Run by Plan International – the global child rights and humanitarian organisation – in partnership with the Mother Child Education Foundation (known locally as ACEV), the project is helping them learn Turkish and adjust to a whole new curriculum in a different language.
This is important because, before arriving in Turkey, the children had only ever spoken Arabic – their mother tongue – and the language barrier has been a major factor in preventing them from getting an education.
Education in emergencies
There are 2.5 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, of whom almost half are children. Only a fraction live in camps. The majority – about 85 per cent – live in host communities.
Nearly 90 per cent of children living in camps attend school. However, outside, only 25 per cent are in education.
Plan International’s pre-school programme hopes to address this disparity.
Zeynep M. Turkmen Sanduvac, the organisation’s Education in Emergencies Specialist in Turkey, explains why getting an education is so important:
“We know from experience that war significantly impacts on all aspects of children’s wellbeing. Add to that a lack of access to education, and children’s safety is compromised as well: those out of school are at much higher risk of violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect.”
School - a safe and peaceful place
The project is providing a safe and peaceful environment in which the children can learn, play and interact with others. Sanduvac continues:
“The Syrian children in Istanbul are extremely vulnerable. Exposure to violence, displacement, the accumulation of stress and loss of or separation from family members and friends all have both immediate and long-term consequences for them.
“The idea with this project is to prepare the children for school where they will not only have structure and be intellectually stimulated, but also be safe.”
Maintaining a connection with Syria
As well as learning numeracy, basic literacy and about good personal hygiene, the children are also having fun: they get to paint and do puzzles, to play games, and to sing songs and listen to traditional Syrian stories.
“I am learning how to hold my pencil correctly," says Refah, age six. "I am learning numbers. I like the decorations in the art corner. I like all games, but my favourites are the ones with Turkish and Arabic singing,” she continues.
Lima, also six years old, adds: “I like my school and all of the activities here. Mostly, I like the puzzles, art activities and drama corner. I hope there is more schooling in my future!”
Becoming part of the local community
The emphasis on helping them to retain their Syrian heritage has also been helping with community cohesion by strengthening connections between schools and parents.
“I have three kids,” says one mother. “My wish for them is that they stay mentally strong, and that they integrate well into society. I also desire that they receive a good education and attain respect and status within their respective communities. I want them to be happy in their lives!”
As part of the programme, each child receives a free meal every day and there is psychosocial support on offer to help those struggling to cope with what they have experienced.
"We are learning and playing here at school. I have many friends here. As I don't have any friends in my apartment building, and my mother does not allow me to leave home, I'm happy to be able to play with friends at school. I love my teachers," says six-year-old Adnan.
The future
The idea is that the programme will become a replicable model for supporting the connection between the Syrian community and Turkish schools elsewhere in the country – thus ensuring more children get an education.
