There are about 650,000 school-aged Syrian refugee children in Turkey. Government officials estimate only about one-third of them are going to school. Educating the refugee children is an enormous task. One U.S. official says that a huge school system like the one in New York City would be overwhelmed. Human Rights Watch says that if the students do not receive a quality education, they would be in danger of being exploited in dangerous and low-paying jobs in the future. The United States says it is working with the United Nations to help bridge the education gap for refugee children.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the children in Turkey need to start school soon. Without school, the effects will be negative and long-lasting. It would be the same as if the three largest public school systems in the U.S. New York, Chicago and Los Angeles closed. The United States provided Turkey with aid for education earlier. In December, it offered an additional $24 million. Human Rights Watch says a quality education will ensure a more stable future for these children.
