Problems and challenges : faced by Liberian refugee children and youths as they enter the formal educational systems at the Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana

Abstract

This study addresses the challenges that Liberian refugee children and youths living at the Buduburam Refugee Camp face in accessing education. Over 40,000 Liberian refugees(adult and children)settle at the Buduburam Refugee camp in Ghana where the UNHCR and other relief agencies withdrew their educational suppport to the refugees in 2000. The UNHCR's three proposed solutions to the problem of refugees is viewed from different angles by the refugees thus providing room for their own arguments and preferment. This attitude has invariably an effect on the education system at the camp since administrators/teachers, parents and the children are involved. Amidst the quest for education by children, thousands of them at the Buduburam Refugee Camp are denied the opportunity of attending schools or prefer other means at their disposal rather than the classroom. In exploring on the educational challenges facing these children, a qualitative research design using Library Research and Documentation, Semi structure interviews and Observation was employed. There were two research questions and a total of 26 respondents including children, parents,camp leaders, educational consultants and humanitarian organizations participated in the study. From their responses and analysis of major themes and research findings, poverty (87%), the dreams of resettlement(77%), lack of motivation(46%) and social life at the camp(73%)are major setbacks for refugee children and youths not being able to access education at the Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana.