The right to education of refugee children in Uganda: A comparative study of Kyaka II and Nakivale Refugee Camps in Kyenjojo and Isingiro Districts in South Western Uganda

Abstract

This study which set out to establish the implementation of the right to secondary education of refugee children in Uganda was comparing Kyaka II and Nakivale Refugee camps. It employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The study was carried out in 3rd term 2005 and 1st term 2006 of the school calendar year. Nakivale refugee camp and Isingiro secondary school were the areas of study in Isingiro district where as Kyaka II r camp and Bujubuli secondary school were the study areas in Kyenjojo District. It was found out that the right to secondary education of refugee children, though an important human right is not being fulfilled and realized. This is because it is characterized by inadequacy, deprivation, marginalization, discrimination and limitations. But secondary education is highly valued and regarded by the refugees themselves as it would enable them to access employment and self-reliance. However, it is observed that the limitation towards the implementation of the right to secondary education of refugee children is language barrier, old age of students, and poverty among others coupled with lack of school fees to meet the higher education costs.

To address the problems facing the implementation of the right to secondary education of refugees it was suggested that Government and refugee education stake holders should come up with a specific policy on refugee secondary education, improve on the teachers’ salaries and other benefits.

The study findings indicate that other than the paramount difference of distance in both studied refugee camps the characteristics of secondary education are largely similar with minor differences as demonstrated in the chapter of presentation of findings.