The Destruction of a Generation by War: Syrian Families, Children’s Education, and the Risks for Turkey

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of migration, focusing on Syrian families under temporary protection who migrated to Turkey following the mass movement of people from Syria after 2011. The research explores the education of Syrian children and the risks faced by Turkey in this context. It also evaluates the economic, social, and cultural impacts of the Syrian refugee crisis on Turkey, highlighting both its positive and negative aspects, as well as related security concerns. Syrian children require increased access to psychological and psychiatric healthcare services. However, many are forced to work under harsh conditions as cheap labor. The employment rates of these children, categorized by age groups, exhibit similarities to those in Turkey but differ significantly from global trends. Applying these observations to Turkey, this study discusses the stages of educational services provided to Syrian children and suggests practical recommendations to improve their quality. The findings reveal that although Syrian children increasingly benefit from educational services each year, their participation rates remain below Turkey's national average. The study also highlights deficiencies in education, healthcare, employment, and socioeconomic conditions for children under temporary protection. Predictably, migration flows intensify during periods of intense conflict. Data from international organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have been utilized in this research. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.