Understand
Teenage asylum seekers in Northern Ireland face barriers and delays in accessing education
Overview
Refugees and asylum seekers aged 16 and over in Northern Ireland face significant challenges entering schools, colleges, and universities, leaving many in an educational limbo. Because compulsory education ends at 16, older teenage arrivals often lack automatic rights to school places, face long waiting lists for English language courses, and encounter difficulties having foreign qualifications recognised. Community groups have called for specialist education programmes, noting that little has changed since the 'Stranded Dreams' report highlighted these issues over a year ago.
Key points
- Refugees and asylum seekers aged 16 and over do not have an automatic right to enter school or college in Northern Ireland, as compulsory education ends at 16.
- Young asylum seekers like Mona, Sara, Hani, and Hossam have experienced severe delays and obstacles in pursuing careers in nursing, medicine, and business.
- Some students faced lengthy waiting lists, such as a two-year wait for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes.
- Community organisations like the Anaka Women's Collective have called for specialist education programmes for asylum seekers and refugees aged 16 to 24.
- Stormont's Department for the Economy stated that Further Education provision and free ESOL courses are available to eligible asylum seekers and refugees aged 16 and over.