The new General Directorate of Migration Management (GDMM) went into effect as of April 11th. They are now responsible for implementing Turkey’s new Law on Foreigners and International Protection. In addition to other duties, the GDMM is responsible for registration, status determination, access to rights, and coordination among agencies responding to the Syrian emergency.
In an effort to improve access to services outside of camps, AFAD is currently registering non-camp Syrians in towns and cities across Turkey. However, as a UNHCR official pointed out to me, only Syrians with passports are able to receive residence permits and a Foreigner ID number as part of the registration process. Only Syrians with Foreigner IDs are able to attend Turkish schools. And many Syrians do not have the passports necessary to get one of these IDs. As a result, their only options are Syrian schools run by a variety of actors: Syrian and Turkish NGOs, community volunteers, and municipalities. The quality and capacity of these schools vary drastically. And there are not enough of them to serve all school-age Syrian children and youth.
Syrians are currently granted “temporary protection” by the Turkish government. Under this protection, the government maintains an open door and policy of non-refoulement. The GDMM is currently drafting a new regulation for temporary protection, and it is generally believed that this new regulation will allow Syrians without passports to get residence permits and Foreigners IDs. As a result, they will be required, under Turkish law, to send their children to school. And they will be able to enroll them in Turkish schools. Now whether Syrian parents will be happy with this option remains a big question. And even if Syrians have the right to attend Turkish schools, there will need to be large investments made in Turkish language development at all ages, as well as placement tests and support services to help catch-up students and transition them into a new curriculum that is different from what was taught in Syria. More facilities may be needed, more teachers hired and trained. Transportation also may be needed to help Syrians attend Turkish schools. And the question of Syrian schools will also remain. If they are to stay in operation as an option for Syrian families, Ministry of Education capacity for setting standards and monitoring these schools will need to be developed. In addition, they will need to be certified so that Syrians graduating from these schools will receive a diploma. Currently, diplomas are only available through Turkish schools.
In an effort to improve access to services outside of camps, AFAD is currently registering non-camp Syrians in towns and cities across Turkey. However, as a UNHCR official pointed out to me, only Syrians with passports are able to receive residence permits and a Foreigner ID number as part of the registration process. Only Syrians with Foreigner IDs are able to attend Turkish schools. And many Syrians do not have the passports necessary to get one of these IDs. As a result, their only options are Syrian schools run by a variety of actors: Syrian and Turkish NGOs, community volunteers, and municipalities. The quality and capacity of these schools vary drastically. And there are not enough of them to serve all school-age Syrian children and youth.
Syrians are currently granted “temporary protection” by the Turkish government. Under this protection, the government maintains an open door and policy of non-refoulement. The GDMM is currently drafting a new regulation for temporary protection, and it is generally believed that this new regulation will allow Syrians without passports to get residence permits and Foreigners IDs. As a result, they will be required, under Turkish law, to send their children to school. And they will be able to enroll them in Turkish schools. Now whether Syrian parents will be happy with this option remains a big question. And even if Syrians have the right to attend Turkish schools, there will need to be large investments made in Turkish language development at all ages, as well as placement tests and support services to help catch-up students and transition them into a new curriculum that is different from what was taught in Syria. More facilities may be needed, more teachers hired and trained. Transportation also may be needed to help Syrians attend Turkish schools. And the question of Syrian schools will also remain. If they are to stay in operation as an option for Syrian families, Ministry of Education capacity for setting standards and monitoring these schools will need to be developed. In addition, they will need to be certified so that Syrians graduating from these schools will receive a diploma. Currently, diplomas are only available through Turkish schools.