Turkey is an upper-middle income country with well-established institutions and comprehensive public services, particularly in education. Turkey has made significant achievements in reducing poverty and inequality and improving access to services for the most vulnerable, including refugee children and their families. However, over the last six years, Turkey has welcomed 4 million refugees, more than any other country.

Refugee children and families who came to Turkey, mostly from Syria, have experienced the mental and physical trauma of war and must adapt quickly to their new environment.

Although Turkey has made great strides in helping refugee children access school, approximately 400,000 children remain out of school in 2021.

As of spring 2020, the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, earthquakes, and other natural disasters have made the situation much worse. There is a growing need to build resilient, inclusive systems, improve learning outcomes, and respond effectively to environmental crises.