A unique representation of refugee children’s journeys in their own voices, reflected through their stories, verses, and artworks.

Schooling for Refugee Children is a collaboration between five authors who explore their interactions with refugee children displaced from Syria to the Lebanese borders and London. Through a program of carefully tailored research activities, the authors analyze the children’s representations of their journeys and current circumstances, particularly focusing on questions of ongoing schooling in the face of displacement. The children’s experiences are expressed through their own words and drawings, disrupting the stereotype of children as receivers rather than empowered actors, and challenging traditional solutions for improving schooling. Throughout, the children are eloquent about their schooling in the context of displacement. Their views and illustrations depict a keen awareness of social justice issues, including the distribution of wealth, recognition of status, and representation of voice. In this way, the book brings to light important representations of some empowering experiences lived through by refugee children from Syria, as well as their thoughts on what has helped their learning and what can be done better. The children’s need for care and a sense of belonging in their schools and their new communities is given particular emphasis throughout the book, represented by one child, who simply requested, “Add some more love!”

Schooling for Refugee Children is invaluable for educators, policymakers, and anyone interested in refugee education and social justice. By centering the voices of refugee children, the book sheds light on their unique perspectives and needs, challenging conventional approaches to improving schooling for displaced populations.
 

Eleanore Hargreaves is professor of learning and pedagogy at the Institute of Education, UCL’s faculty of education and society, UK. Brian Lally is an educator and researcher with extensive experience in teaching, education leadership, and safeguarding/child protection. Bassel Akar is a research fellow at Centro de Estudos Africanos, Universidade do Porto, Portugal. Jumana Al-Waeli is a postdoctoral research fellow at Ulster University, UK. Jasmine Costello is a project manager at Student Achievement Partners, designing resources and professional learning for teachers.