On World Family Day in Syria, Education Is a Lifeline for Displaced Families

On International Family Day, UNRWA is raising awareness about the fundamental role of families and family-oriented policies in supporting education and the overall well-being of family members.

Families are crucial in promoting early childhood education and life-long learning opportunities for children and youth. However, in situations of crisis, especially those marked by violence, children have their familiar world disrupted, including the people, places and routines that make them feel secure. 

In Syria, Palestine refugee children have been exposed to prolonged violence, displacement and hardship, and many families have been separated, leaving children without a fundamental support system. Through the Education in Emergencies (EiE) programme, UNRWA strives to mitigate the impact of the conflict and enable the continuation of their education. 

Knowing the vital role that family plays in education, one of the key dimensions of the EiE programme is community engagement and parental participation in education. Parents play an essential role in the implementation of the Education in Emergencies programme. Through 82 Parent-Teacher Associations set up by UNRWA in Damascus and central Syria, parents take part in monthly meetings with teachers; help in the planning of school activities; and participate in awareness sessions on topics such as gender-based violence, psychosocial support, explosive remnants and violence at schools.