Education

Education as a Fundamental Right

Education is a fundamental human right for all children and youth. A quality education provides them with the skills and confidence they need to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to society. It serves as a foundation for exercising other rights and securing a brighter future.

The Impact of Displacement on Education

Displacement disrupts education, leaving children and youth vulnerable to a lifetime of missed opportunities. Many are forced to flee their homes, leaving behind schools, teachers, and support systems. Traumatic experiences, instability, and economic hardships further hinder their ability to continue learning.

In host communities, schools often lack the capacity to absorb displaced children, leading to overcrowding, limited resources, and barriers such as language differences and legal restrictions. As a result, many refugee children are either excluded from formal education or struggle to remain in school.

IRB’s Commitment to Education

IRB is committed to ensuring that all displaced children and youth have access to high-quality, inclusive, and safe education that addresses their psychosocial, emotional, and cognitive needs. From the moment a crisis begins, we work to provide education solutions that help children transition into stable, long-term learning pathways.

We focus on out-of-school children and those whose education has been interrupted due to displacement, ensuring they can complete a full cycle of education with meaningful learning outcomes.

IRB works closely with governments, local communities, and education providers to integrate refugee and internally displaced children into formal education systems. Our approach prioritizes accredited education, ensuring that learners receive recognized qualifications that open doors to future opportunities.

Our Education Activities

IRB’s education programs focus on four key areas:

• Emergency education response – Providing immediate access to safe learning spaces for displaced children in crisis situations.
• Non-formal education opportunities – Offering flexible and alternative learning options for children unable to access traditional schooling.
• Transition & retention in formal education – Helping displaced children enroll and stay in school, with targeted support for those at risk of dropping out.
• Youth education & skills development – Equipping young people with vocational training, digital literacy, and life skills to improve their future prospects.

Our Approach

IRB’s education programs align with global best practices and prioritize:

• Safe & Inclusive Learning – Ensuring classrooms are free from discrimination, violence, and exploitation, and are accessible to all children, including those with disabilities.
• Teacher Training & Curriculum Development – Supporting governments and education institutions to strengthen teaching quality through continuous training, mentorship, and fair compensation for educators.
• Non-Formal & Alternative Education – Providing accelerated learning programs, bridging courses, and remedial education for children who have missed years of schooling.
• Youth & Vocational Training – Creating opportunities for post-primary education, including technical, vocational, and tertiary education, enabling young people to build sustainable livelihoods.
• Digital Learning & Innovation – Leveraging EdTech solutions to improve access to quality education, particularly in remote and under-resourced areas.
• Education in the Face of Climate Change – Developing education programs that help displaced communities adapt to climate-related challenges and disasters.
• Advocacy & Policy Influence – Engaging with governments, international bodies, and civil society to promote education rights for refugees and shape policies that support displaced learners.

Our Impact

In the past year, IRB’s education programs have supported thousands of displaced children and youth, helping them regain stability and hope through learning.

All our education initiatives adhere to the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Minimum Standards for Education, ensuring quality and accountability in our work.

By investing in education, we empower displaced communities to rebuild their lives and contribute to society, fostering resilience and long-term development.