Access to Education for Syrian Refugee Children in Zaatari Camp, Jordan

The Education Sector Working Group (ESWG) in Jordan initiated a joint education needs assessment (JENA), assessing education for Syrians in Za’atari camp and the host community. Two separate assessments were conducted and this report provides an outline of the key findings from Za’atari camp.

The joint needs assessment was designed by the ESWG in close collaboration with the Jordan Ministry of Education, JENA taskforce and REACH to identify immediate education sector response priorities. This was achieved through an analysis of the needs, motivations, activities, perceptions and priorities of Syrian refugee children aged 3 to 18 and their parents, as well as other relevant stakeholders. A key objective was to identify progress following the previous JENA which took place in 2013 in Za’atari camp. Of special focus is an analysis of the barriers which continue to hinder education access, particularly for children who are out-of-school. The involvement of teachers, parents and other stakeholders is also explored, to address further scope for their engagement and participation, and to identify their perceptions of how the quality of formal schooling has progressed since the previous JENA. The overall objective is to better inform education partners and relevant stakeholders with their programmatic decisions, thereby ensuring resources are effectively targeted to support children in Za’atari camp to access quality education which fulfils their learning needs.