schooling

• European Union

According to a UNHCR study, underage refugees are missing out on years of schooling beyond the standard elementary level. This results in longterm problems such as poorer job prospects.

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Croatia

Instead of going to classes and learning lessons for life, migrant children on the move are often stuck simply trying to survive. In Bosnia, some have to help their parents scheme their escape into the EU instead of enjoying their childhood.

• Italy

The enrollment of incoming first-year students in Italy for the 2021-2022 school year will close on January 25. Enrollment is also mandatory for foreign minors, regardless of the regularity of their parents' stay permit, according to regulations issued by the education ministry.

• Italy

In recent years, tens of thousands of unaccompanied migrants have arrived in Italy, without their parents or family. These children and teenagers represent a particularly vulnerable category of immigrants. Their living arrangements and education are organised around a system that helps develop a personalised approach, including a legal guardian. Part of the local population also helps these youngsters integrate into Italian society. Our correspondents report from Palermo, on the southern Italian island of Sicily.

• Germany

Four scientific studies in Germany conclude that the integration of migrants and refugees is proceeding increasingly well. The German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) stressed, however, that there were still some areas that needed improvement.

• Germany

The coronavirus pandemic and the closing of schools all over the world have affected all children. But those on the margins of society, including many migrants, have done the worst out of homeschooling.

• France

The community center in the French village of Cloître-Saint-Thégonnec in Brittany serves as an “alternative school” for migrants and asylum seekers. The students at the center learn everything from French, mathematics and science to the local Celtic language, Breton. The classes, which are offered by volunteers, help the migrants integrate into French society. InfoMigrants went to visit.

• Germany

For refugee children who have missed school, participating in classes can be challenging, especially in a foreign language. A Berlin-based initiative tries to fill their knowledge gaps with free tutoring in Arabic on the weekends. InfoMigrants visited a class in Berlin to find out how the project is helping them get back on track.

• Eritrea
• Libya
• Sudan

More than 3.7 million refugee children worldwide didn't have the chance to go to school in the last academic year, according to a new report by the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

• Italy

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has bestowed the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic to Maria Coletti for her dedication to helping immigrant children learn Italian.

• Germany

Many migrant and refugee children in Europe face barriers to accessing school education. Challenges include not enough trained teachers, language barriers and poverty.

• Eritrea

The rights advocacy group Human Rights Watch published a report saying that thousands of young people are forced into indefinite national service despite a peace deal with Ethiopia. This practice of conscription apparently drives many into exile and migration.