Curriculum Choice for Refugee Children at Jawi Refugee Camp, Ethiopia

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to examine the dilemmas connected to curriculum choice for educating refugee children. As a case for study, primary schools for South Sudanese children in Jewi refugee camp were considered. Interview, document analysis, and observation were the principal data collection tools used for the study. Students, teachers, school leaders, parents, and concerned education officials from governmental and non-governmental institutions took part in this study. The results of the study indicated that the curriculum implemented in the education for refugee children has a gap in considering previous educational background of refugee children, the impact of the crisis on them, and their future life in home, host, or third country. Adopting the host country curriculum is seen to be subject for frequent students’ and parents’ complaints especially on history, geography, language, and civics subjects. With this understanding adapting a negotiated curriculum between home and host country as well as mediating through curriculum implementation process were identified to be more appropriate approach for curriculum choice for refugee children in host (or first asylum) country.