REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:
In December, the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Jordan confirmed that 145,458 Syrian students had access to formal education in schools in camp and host community settings for the 2015/2016 academic year. For the first time, this data was compiled and analysed through the Education Management Information System (EMIS), which 3RP partners supported through the provision of laptops in the camp schools.
In Turkey, significant progress has been made in both increasing access to educational services and enhancing educational quality during 2015. The number of Syrian children enrolled in recognised education programmes at the start of the 2015/2016 school year had risen by 30 per cent compared to the same period in 2014. Additional educational places were created through the construction, renovation and refurbishment of schools, which formed a major focus of the Education Sector's response in 2015.
In Iraq, over 36,000 refugee children were enrolled in formal primary education by the end of the year, and over 6,000 were accessing non-formal education opportunities. A range of assistance was provide to schools and school children throughout the year, including the rehabilitation of facilities, provision of educational and learning materials, stationary, Quality Learning Environment assessment tools, kerosene lamps for the winter period, training sessions, cash for uniforms, and transportation assistance.
In Egypt, some 39,000 children are enrolled in formal primary education, and around 6,000 in non-formal education. The 'First Arab Regional Meeting on Education 2030' was held on 15-16 December in Egypt. Over 90 participants representing high level officials from 17 Arab member states, UN co-convenors, civil society organizations and private foundations attended the meeting. Concerns expressed included the negative impact of the Syrian crisis on the national education development gains achieved in past years in the region.