Examining the Protection and Promotion of Children’s Right to Education in Refugee Camps: a Case Study of Kakuma Refugee Camp Turkana County, Kenya

Abstract

With the rise in armed conflict especially after the end of the Cold War which resulted in the rise in intra-state conflict, the world has seen a rise in the number of refugees across the globe. The impact of armed conflict on children and especially those that have been forced to seek refuge elsewhere brought the issue into center at the United Nations. Youngsters in hotspots around the world are tormented, disfigured and executed, and others are enrolled by furnished gatherings and presented to various dangers because of monstrous relocation. Research has largely shied away from probing deeper on child-specific protection and mitigation strategies of the rights of children in less developed countries. Rights protection frameworks are largely weak while various approaches such as community based child protection mechanisms that respond to and prevent problems of child protection remain unexamined and un-assessed. It is against this background that this study examined the protection and mitigation of the rights of children in refugee camps using Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana County, Kenya. More specifically, the study sought to: examine how the rights of refugee children in Kakuma Refugee Camp are protected; establish mitigation measures to any violations of the rights of refugee children in the camp; and assess the efficacy of the approaches used to protect and mitigate children’s rights in the camp. The theoretical framework showed the UNCRC has had an extraordinary impact on individuals' comprehension of childhood and how to enhance children's personal satisfaction. The scope of the study was Kakuma Refugee Camp. The study faced financial constraints to adequately facilitate the activities of the research and non-co-operation from the respondents. Policy makers might use the insights of this report to develop policies that will protect and promote children’s right to education in refugee camps. Academicians might use the findings of this study in coming up with research gaps for future studies. The study employed a case study research design which targeted a total number of 134 respondents. The researcher used stratified and purposive sampling technique to sample 67 respondents. Qualitative and quantitative data was used to capture information from respondents. The study found that there is a problem in food provisioning and rationing in the camp and especially amongst the young ones who are left to fend for themselves. It also found that children encountered challenges in accessing learning materials, had a problem with the language of instruction as well as the challenge of few teachers in their learning facility. The study concluded that the dysfunctional nature of refugee camps as well as acute shortage of resources severely affected the smooth running of the camp activities. Pertinently, children’s right to education which is a fundamental right is negatively impacted. Further it emerged that learning was hampered by communication breakdown due to the fact the language of instruction is alien to refugee children. Access to education was greatly affected by lack of access to basic rights such as health care, registration of children at birth and discrimination. There is a need for better trained staff and more so those in contact with children and their families, including teachers in camp learning facilities in best practices in regard to handling children and particularly those displaced by war.