According to UNHCR, almost 50% of refugee children remain out of school. This is well below the global rates for education access and limits their opportunities for a brighter future. Investing in the education of young refugees is essential for bringing about positive and lasting change. In this context, sport can play a significant role in addressing the educational needs of displaced and host community children and youth residing in low-resource contexts.
When sport and education are integrated, they have a profound multiplier effect on student well-being and learning. By integrating sport into education programming as a holistic approach to learning and development, sport can not only act as a motivating factor for children to enrol in school, but also contribute to increased attendance and engagement, giving children and youth a chance to continue their education. There is evidence that sport can also improve cognitive development and academic performance as the brain changes associated with physical activity lead to improved information processing, memory, attention, and learning potential.
Engaging in sport activities also fosters the development of social and emotional skills and promotes a stronger sense of belonging and a positive peer relationship, building social cohesion and inclusion. Through sport, children learn valuable values like mutual respect and build trusting relationships with their peers and teachers. As a result, schools benefit from an inclusive atmosphere that promotes acceptance and cohesion among students.
By reinforcing timetabled physical education (PE) within the national curriculum and providing certified training for teachers, school staff and community mobilisers can further enhance capacity and knowledge and contribute to maximising the impact of sport for protection programming in school settings and its alignment with the broader goals of the curriculum.
Sport presents a significant opportunity to create new pathways to enhance higher education opportunities through scholarship programmes. Providing refugees with access to higher education is essential for having future leaders who can contribute to building a sustainable future for all.
Top banner image by UNHCR showing a youth football team in Guajira, Colombia.
