Syria Education Programme (SEP)
Before the Syrian War, over 90% of all Syrian children were enrolled in school. Today, one in every three Syrian children is out of school. In early 2021, it was reported that the vast majority of Syrian children live in areas with “severe, extreme, or catastrophic” education conditions.
In response to an ever-changing landscape of conflict and crisis, the Syria Education Programme (SEP) enables teachers, school staff, and education sector leadership to provide children with a high-quality education. Since 2018, SEP has supported over half a million children to access a high-quality and safe education.
From the specialized requirements of children with disabilities to the psychological demands of childhood within conflict, the challenges facing Syrian students are as diverse as they are urgent. SEP takes a nuanced approach to the myriad needs of individual children and groups. By broadening educational access, promoting a safe and secure environment, and creating high-quality learning opportunities, SEP strives to meet children’s holistic needs at scale.
To date, the programme has provided nearly half a million children with psychosocial support, helping them understand their emotions and cope with trauma.
From mass displacement and the pandemic to resurgent violence and livelihood insecurity, SEP continually adapts its approach to mitigate the impact of converging crises. The programme invests in and applies research to guide implementation and, ultimately, meet Syrian children’s psychological, educational, and protection needs.
