The effects of internal migration on high school students: Teacher and student perceptions

ABSTRACT This paper examines the effects of internal migration on students from the perspective of high school teachers and students. The study employed qualitative research with a phenomenological design. The study group consisted of nine teachers and seventeen high school students from Mardin city in Turkey with a migrant experience. The researchers collected data using semi-structured interviews and used a descriptive analysis technique to analyse the data. The results of the study show that participants from both groups (teachers and students) agreed on the following issues: adolescents from immigrant families have difficulty adapting to school life; their level of academic success is lower and they have difficulty making new friends. Most of the students stated that they have problems forming relationships with their peers at school. The study’s results emphasised the necessity for collaboration among educational, health, and social institutions to ensure the adjustment of migrant students to their new schools and environments.