Education

The main barriers that refugees and asylum-seekers face to validate their educational qualifications and diplomas include insufficient access to information, as well as the lack of financial resources to pay the required fees. For recognition of a person’s university education, the State verification mechanisms to validate transcripts, study programmes and university diplomas are arduous. Regarding access to technical education, the people UNHCR serves generally face a lack of economic resources and time to work and study, as well as onerous enrolment requirements. For asylum-seekers, the validity of their official ID card is not always recognized and staff in technical institutions lack information about the specific characteristics of the population of concern. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, access to internet connectivity and information and communication technologies has become the greatest  barrier to education and employment. UNHCR coordinates directly with the Ministry of Public Education to ensure access to the educational system through a joint work plan, which guides interventions on primary and secondary education in the relevant period. The work plan includes guidance, awareness-raising and training activities for personnel, prevention of discrimination and xenophobia, and data management of persons registered in the educational system, among others. It also provides orientation for people UNHCR serves to validate their primary and secondary diplomas. The operation is also working with the National Council of University Rectors (CONARE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop an appropriate documentation verification mechanism that considers people UNHCR serves’ protection needs.