Media Release: UN in T&T Welcomes Decision to Include Migrant and Refugee Children in National Education

July 14, 2023: The United Nations Resident Coordinator and members of the UN Country Team in Trinidad and Tobago welcome the decision of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to include refugee and migrant children in the national school system at the primary school level.  

Access to education is fundamental to the lives of children, their families and the future of countries that host them. Children attending schools propels families forward and supports integration and language acquisition, as well as provides a sense of normalcy and security.  It gives an opportunity to think about the future and find pathways towards economic and social stability if the family.

The UN agencies working in Trinidad and Tobago under the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V), in particular UNHCR, IOM and the Education Working Group, chaired by UNICEF, will continue to support the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. Together with local and international partners, the UN system remains committed to working collaboratively with the Government on the next phase of its approach to including refugees and migrants in the national school system with a holistic approach that benefits all children in the country with quality education.

Joanna Kazana-Wiśniowiecki 

United Nations Resident Coordinator 

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For additional information, please contact the Development Coordination Officer (Programme Communications and Advocacy) at the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, Ms. Faine Richards, at faine.richards@un.org  or 1-868-389-6106.