Refugee education and appropriate curriculum

Considering the needs of refugee education in relation to appropriate curriculum is an interesting topic. Below I have highlighted some key features of what I believe refugee education should include.

Refugees require a curriculum where the learning is relevant to their real lives. This is the same in all classrooms, yet the needs of refugees and their real life situations would be quite different to the needs and real life situations of those in a different context.

A safe, secure and supportive learning environment is essential for all education, particularly refugee education. This positive environment supports and facilitates learning as the students would feel welcomed and motivated, whilst supporting their emotional wellbeing and resilience. This positive environment would support the students during a very challenging, traumatic and stressful time.

As you have highlighted, the group, collaborative and cooperative environment would be a key component of refugee education. This space would provide opportunities for students to engage with others that are in a similar situation and have had similar past experiences, providing platforms for them to empathise with others, receive support and build relationships. This space would provide value beyond the classroom and support students’ social and emotional wellbeing and healing. The development of these relationships would enhance the personal learning space and provide platforms for developing self-belief, hope, self-worth and opportunities to rebuild their lives.

I have volunteered in a school in Thailand teaching English and they valued the teaching and learning of English as they perceived it as a way in supporting the students to achieve higher education and access more opportunities in life, particularly in relation to the workforce. As they said, so many opportunities rely on the English language, like tourism, business, the film industry and much more. The motive behind teaching English to these Thai students was to enhance their capabilities and increase their opportunities for success. Hence, I agree with you in saying that teaching English may ‘help bridge the gap between Western and Middle Eastern societies and give these students more possibilities in a global context.’

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