Key message
Key challenges
- Often children are not taught in a language that they speak and fully understand. 37% of students in low and middle income countries are required to learn in a different language which puts them at significant disadvantage throughout their school life. They are more likely to stay in school if they are first taught in a language familiar to them.
(World Bank, 2021) - The intersection of gender and other factors of disadvantage exacerbates challenges and can lead to education deprivation. Poor boys and boys from minority groups are particularly at risk of falling into this category. For example, in the US, boys are consistently over-represented in disability education programming.
(UNESCO, 2023) - The lack of social understanding about disabilities and pre-existing discrimination is a barrier to accessing education. A lack of knowledge can prevent those with disabilities from accessing higher education. This situation is worsened by the absence of role models among decision makers, teachers and administrative staff both within education and in the public sphere.
(UNESCO, 2023) - Barriers and their impact on vulnerable learners and minority groups have been made worse by COVID-19. As well as this, pre-existing barriers such as a lack of electronic devices and connectivity as well as the difficulty parents face in supporting their children's learning due to factors such as insufficient digital skills, have taken on a new significance.
(UNESCO, 2023)
Make the case
- Education is one of the most important means by which the inherent characteristics of a minority group such as its culture, language or religion can be passed on and preserved.
(UNESCO, 2023) - Education encourages inclusive and equitable societies. Programmes that support global citizenship education and promote intercultural dialogue can help to develop the necessary knowledge and competence to embrace and engage with a diverse society.
(UNESCO, 2023) - Education promotes religious tolerance. In Arab States, people with secondary education were 14% less likely to express intolerant attitudes towards people of a different religion.
(GMR/Chzhen, 2014/2013) - Education advances tolerance for immigrant children. Higher educational attainment is correlated with more positive attitudes towards immigrants. People with secondary education were 16% less likely to express intolerance towards immigrants in Central and Eastern Europe in comparison to those without a secondary education.
(Borgonovi & Pokropek, 2019) (GMR/Chzhen, 2014/2013) - Education bolsters racial tolerance. In Latin America, people with secondary education were half as likely to express intolerance for people of different race than those with only a primary education.
(EFA GMR, 2014) - Increased education increases tolerance of sexual orientation. In Argentina, people with secondary education were nearly one-quarter less likely to express homophobic attitudes than those with only a primary education.
(EFA GMR, 2014) - When education is more equal for minority groups, the probability of conflict attributed to xenophobia or stereotypes of minority groups is reduced. In sub-Saharan Africa, the risk of conflict in the areas with the highest education inequality is almost double that of the areas with the lowest education inequality.
(Smith, 2009) (EFA GMR, 2013) - Open classroom environments can advance the rights of minority groups. Students who perceived their classroom environment as open were more likely to endorse equal rights for all ethnic groups and believe that this was a benefit for democracy. An open classroom climate can foster political participation by students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
(Treviño et al., 2018) (GEM, 2019) (Campbell, 2008) - Early childhood education is particularly important for minority groups. Community and family-based early childhood programmes allow caregivers to come together to discuss and resolve the challenges they face. In doing so, they also help forge and sustain relationships across social, ethnic, religious, and political divides.
(UNICEF, 2015)
Key opinion
Filippo Grandi
UN High Commissioner for Refugees
For the 1% of the world’s population who are displaced, education is the key to unlocking a positive and resilient future. For children affected by crisis and conflict, education provides vital protection, and a sense of normalcy and safety. Covid-19 showed numerous examples of how refugees who had received support to harness their energy and complete their education were giving back to the communities which hosted them – as doctors, nurses, teachers and support workers. Access to a quality education prepares refugee students to take care of themselves and their communities, stepping up as leaders and role models and enabling rapid generational change which will in turn create a brighter future for their own children.
Key talking points
- Education promotes tolerance - of religion, race, sexual orientation and immigrants.
- Equal education for minority groups reduces the chances of conflict.
- Integrated schools can play a key role in building relationships across political, religious and ethnic divides.
- Children taught in their native language, and with culturally relevant materials, are more likely to stay in school and achieve better results.
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