Access to Education for Internally Displaced Children in IDP Camps in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined access to education for internally displaced children in IDP camps in Nigeria. Access to education may be referred to as the ways in which educational institutions and policies ensure that students have equal and equitable opportunities to take full advantage of education. Access to quality education in IDPs camps would serve as a source of IDPs’ integration into the local/host community as well as psychological support that may help reduce children’s exposure to social vices and bad practices such as armed robbery, prostitution, early child marriage and recruitment into armed groups. The paper further x-rayed the concept of internal displacement (ID), and causes of internal displacement which included; armed conflict/insurgency and natural disaster. The concept of access to education was briefly discussed and the barriers to accessing quality education which included: inadequate infrastructure and qualified teachers, economic responsibilities, and inadequate teaching/learning materials and insecurity. The benefits of access to quality education were also discussed.  It was concluded that internal displacement was a phenomenon that would not end any time soon going by the record of the number of displacements in the last decade. Therefore, it was suggested, among others that government should make available all teaching and learning materials such as uniforms, shoes, and other school supplies for the children in the ID camps. Teachers in the IDPs camps should be adequately motivated by ensuring that they have equitable and reliable remuneration to ensure retention. Also, regular trainings and workshops should be made available for teachers in the IDPs camps. The government should introduce free lunch programmes for school children in the IDPs camps. This will motivate them to attend school.