Perpetual emergency education: Urban refugee education in Thailand is disrupted during the COVID-19

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education of Pakistani refugees in Bangkok, Thailand. It also assesses the effectiveness of emergency education (i.e., education in emergencies) provided by international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in meeting the educational needs of refugees. The research focuses on the intersection of the refugee situation and COVID-19 restrictions, exploring how INGOs’ emergency education programs have addressed the needs of refugee children. The study also discusses the challenges faced by refugee children, the ethical implications of INGOs’ emergency education interventions, and the long-term educational prospects of refugee children. It highlights the concept of “perpetual emergency education,” which has created a significant gap between policies and practices. As a result, the study suggests that a more sustainable approach to refugee education is needed, recommending the integration of human rights and development-based education strategies into emergency education. This approach aims to narrow the gap and create a more resilient education system, particularly for urban refugees.