Abstract:

Globally, 36.5 million children are either refugees or asylum seekers, facing challenges that extend beyond national borders and demand a shared global response. While refugee children enter educational institutions with aspirations for a better future, they often encounter significant obstacles that no child should be expected to endure. Schools, typically regarded as safe environments, do not always provide the security and inclusion necessary for these children to thrive. In South Africa, where the majority of refugees originate from other African countries, they are often perceived as the "other" and subjected to marginalization and exclusion. The pressure to adapt in a new country is particularly profound for refugee children, as education becomes a central mechanism for integration. This paper explores the educational experiences of refugee children in South Africa, examining the systemic barriers they face and the broader implications for their social inclusion and well-being.

Keywords:

Refugee children, marginalisation, exclusion, well-being.