Exploring obstacles to access to education for unaccompanied refugee children in Greece

Abstract

This dissertation explores the question of accessibility to the right to education for Unaccompanied Refugee Children (URC) in Greece. This work intends to answer the question of whether URC in Greece have access to education in a systematic way and what is the extent to which current practices are in alignment with what is foreseen by relevant legislation. In addition, an effort is made to identify obstacles that hinder these children’s access to education, as well as identify ways to address existing challenges. Accordingly, the study starts with an exploration of the existing legal frameworks at international, regional (EU), and national levels and proceeds with a presentation of the current status quo of the URC in the country. Using a combination of desk research and interviews with local experts this study sheds light on existing obstacles to full access to the right to education for these children, which include legal, economic, political, educational, cultural and psychological obstacles. The study concludes with a brief discussion on possible ways toward addressing existing challenges and improving accessibility to education for these children.