Addressing traumas of Syrian refugee children through education in Turkey

Abstract

This thesis examines the therapeutic aspect of education that can be pivotal in the rehabilitation of refugee children. The focus of the research is on Turkey and the lack of attention that has been paid to the rehabilitative benefits that education provides for the traumas experienced by Syrian refugee children. Turkey and Non-governmental organizations working in Turkey to help with the Syrian refugee crisis have not made enough of a priority in addressing the widespread trauma the Syrian refugee children have experienced. We argue that education can be used as a method of rehabilitation for the traumas Syrian refugee children have experienced. We also show in this thesis the lack of priority, and funding towards education, and mental health programs during a humanitarian crisis. Furthermore, we show that addressing the traumas of Syrian refugee children is essential in preventing a potentially lost generation of Syrian refugee children. Preventing a lost generation of Syrian children is vital because it is these children who will be tasked with rebuilding Syrian society. However, we show in this thesis that the benefits from education extend from just educating the next workforce. We highlight in this thesis that education helps to provide Syrian refugee children with a sense of normality, provides an escape from the traumas they have experienced, and build a support network of peers. In our recommendations, we advise that Turkey needs to make education for Syrian refugee children more of a priority, so Syrian refugee children do not result in a lost generation.