Back to the Future
Back to the Future
Providing educational opportunities for Syrian refugee children
21.700 refugee and local vulnerable children received educational support. Hundreds of thousands of refugee children from Syria are waiting in Lebanon for peace so that they can return to their homes. Most of them are in a hopeless situation. They live with their families in camps and are especially vulnerable to exploitation, such as child trafficking and child labour. They often can not attend school.
The project ‘Back to the Future’ answers the educational needs of these children to become the builders of a brighter future for Syria and the region.
Background
Hundreds of thousands of refugee children, aged between 3 and 18, from Syria have sought refuge outside the country, while the conflict has entered its 9 th year. They live with their families in camps or houses, and are especially vulnerable to exploitation, such as child trafficking and child labour. Often, they cannot attend school. An entire generation is growing up with little reason to nurture hope in a better future. This is why education is crucial for the development of the host community and the refugees affected by the conflict.
The project ‘Back to the Future’ answers the educational needs of these children to become the builders of a brighter future for Syria and the region.
With the support of the European Union Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian Crisis, the ‘EU Madad Fund’, AVSI, Terre des Hommes Italy and War Child Holland launched the project ‘Back to the Future’.
Approach
Our educational activities:
In our ‘Back to the Future’ community centers we provide:
- Community-Based Early Childhood Education for children aged 3 to 5.
- Basic Literacy and Numeracy for children aged 8 to 14 (phase 1) and 10 to 14 (phase 2).
- Foreign language courses, English and French (in Lebanon) to prepare children enrolled in grade 1 to 9. In Lebanon, the teaching language is either English or French, while in the refugees’ country of origin, it’s Arabic.
- Homework Support for children enrolled in grade 1 to 9.
In public schools we support enrolled children with:
- Remedial Classes: summer classes for in-school children, enrolled in grade 1 to 9, at risk of drop out/demonstrating poor grades in their previous academic year.
- Homework Support: Afternoon classes for in-school children, enrolled in grade 1 to 9, at risk of drop out/demonstrating poor grades in all subjects.
Aim
In Lebanon the Consortium works through a comprehensive, flexible and responsive approach built around RACE II (Reaching All Children with Education Initiative) and the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) to support formal and non-formal activities for preschool and school aged boys and girls.
Overall aim
The project aims at providing a protective and nurturing environment for over 16,955 local vulnerable and refugee children, ensuring extracurricular activities for 5,380 children, and referring 350 children at risk and/or with special needs to specialized services. In addition, it will indirectly impact 12,200 students through the upgrading 18 public schools and 4 learning centers across Lebanon. Finally, it will foster community engagement, by addressing 4,245 caregivers on matters such as educational activities and child protection.
Phase 1: December 2016 – June 2019
During phase 1 (December 2016 – June 2019), the project promoted enrollment and improved retention in formal education, for refugee and vulnerable children from local communities. We also enhanced the learning environment by upgrading school buildings. The project supported formal and non-formal activities for pre-school and school-aged children.
Phase 2: June 2019 – June 2021
In phase 2 (June 2019 – June 2021), the project overall objective is to guarantee a protective learning environment to vulnerable girls’ and boys’ in Lebanon. The specific objective is to ensure that vulnerable girls and boys in marginalized communities in Lebanon have access to integrated quality basic education and protection.
Results
A protective and nurturing environment to increase access to school, inclusion and retention for children impacted by the Syrian Crisis in Lebanon and vulnerable Lebanese.
Phase 1 in Lebanon
- 19,022 children enrolled in our educational activities.
– 10,915 children enrolled in our non-formal education activities.
– 8,107 children benefited from learning support program. - 6,412 children referred to formal education.
- 8 public schools upgraded.
- 57,363 individuals reached through home visits and informed about non formal and formal education opportunities in their communities.
- 591 staff members, teachers and volunteers, trained on child protection, first aid and animation skills.
Phase 1 in Jordan
- 2,700 children enrolled in our educational and non-formal education activities.
- 15 public schools upgraded.
- 44 teachers and education practitioners trained.
Phase 2 in Jordan
Expected results:
- 16,955 children will be enrolled in our educational activities.
– 7,910 children will be enrolled in our non-formal education activities.
– 9,045 children will benefit from the learning support program. - 5,470 children will benefit from inclusive structured psychosocial support programs and extracurricular activities.
- 350 children at risk and/or with special needs identified will be referred to specialized services.
- 5530 children will be referred to formal education.
- 18 public schools will be upgraded through additional facilities such as playgrounds, theaters, informatic labs etc.
- 18,597 individuals will be reached through home visits and informed about non-formal and formal education opportunities in their communities.
- 3,580 caregivers and community members will be involved in activities of community awareness on child protection, prevention and services for response and will be engaged in community activities.
- 530 staff members, teachers and volunteers will be trained on child protection, first aid and animation skills.