The barriers to education among the Palestinian refugee children in Malaysia
This paper addresses the barriers that prevent Palestinian refugee children from obtaining education during their transition in the host country, Malaysia. It creates awareness among the Palestinian refugee community about this critical issue which threatens the future of their children who might...
Main Authors: | , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2019
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/75565/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/75565/1/The%20Barriers.pdf |
Summary: | This paper addresses the barriers that prevent Palestinian refugee children from
obtaining education during their transition in the host country, Malaysia. It creates
awareness among the Palestinian refugee community about this critical issue which
threatens the future of their children who might spend many years without receiving
adequate learning opportunities. The present study is based on a qualitative approach
which is commonly used to explore recent phenomenon and provide an in-depth understanding
of human behaviours and beliefs based on their points of view. It collected data
employing semi-structured interviews with 30 Palestinian refugee families moving from
Iraq, Syria and the Gaza Strip, and currently residing in Malaysia, waiting to be resettled
in a third country through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) office in Kuala Lumpur. Using thematic analysis technique, the research
shows that there are economic, institutional and parental challenges preventing the Palestinian
refugee children from receiving education in Malaysia. Also, it reveals how
such challenges lead to negative psychological impacts among the parents and their
children. Moreover, it is found that the parents did not play an adequate role in utilising
potential alternative pathways to education. Finally, it offers a realistic solution to return
these children to a viable education. |
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