04 Apr 100 parents of refugee students meet in Johannesburg
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) continues to take steps to ensure that children of refugees and asylum-seekers have access to a quality education. Last February, 100 fathers and mothers gathered in Johannesburg at a meeting coordinated by JRS that had a threefold purpose: to inform them about their rights and responsibilities regarding the education of their children, to share information about the educational assistance available for this year’s students, and create an “Action Committee” with their participation.
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) continues to take steps to ensure that children of refugees and asylum-seekers have access to a quality education.
The session on rights and responsibilities was the highlight of the day. Many parents commented on the challenges they face in terms of their children’s access to education and, specifically, the challenge of paying school fees. The JRS educational program in South Africa, which Entreculturas and Inditex support, facilitates the enrollment of primary school children. We support families with partial payment of fees and school supplies, uniforms and transportation, and we also offer psychosocial care for children.
The parents selected their representatives in the Action Committee: 13 fathers and mothers from different areas of Johannesburg, who will work with the JRS and participate in some of the organization’s decisions to together ensure that the children of refugees and asylum seekers have access to the best education.
The JRS educational program in South Africa, which Entreculturas and Inditex support, facilitates the enrollment of primary school children.