RefTeCp is a European Commission funded project (Erasmus + CBHE) that focuses on embedding refugee pedagogy into course curricula and develop a Diploma program on refugee teaching and pedagogy.
RefTeCp focuses on the critical issue of refugee right to access and quality education directly addressing SDG4, SDG10, SDG16 and SDG17. There is need of a refugee-centered pedagogy that most teachers, even refugee teachers, do not possess. Refugee teachers in Egypt estimated to 4000 with 500 working in the Syrian community schools face considerable constraints in accessing certified in-service training. NGOs and other organizations have gone some way to addressing refugee children’s schooling, but their interventions are not tied to educational pathways that lead to certified lasting programs. Given the current situation in Egypt, there is lack of effective, job-embedded professional development for teachers to address refugee children’s education. RefTeCp responds to a cross-cutting priority by giving access to refugee teachers to the Egyptian Higher Education through a post-graduate diploma. Through the development of a blended in-service teacher training program in four Universities in Egypt (Al Azhar University, Aswan University, Zagazig University and October 6 University), academic staff are able to revise their courses to address refugee children needs. RefTeCp develops innovative teaching, learning and curriculum materials connecting SDGs with the UN internationally celebrated days focusing on refugee-related themes. The development of a Euro-Arab Network of Refugee Teachers will link up teachers teaching refugee children in host countries in Europe, in Middle East and North Africa as well as globally. It is envisioned that refugee and migrant children will not continue to miss out on vital schooling. Both Egyptian and refugee teachers will have access to a certified professional development program delivered in each partner university which will have considerable impact on refugee children education opportunities. There will be a shift from attending schools organised by the refugee community which offers limited accessibility and coverage of cognitive needs to the public Egyptian schools which will have teachers trained in tackling the educational and socio-psychosocial needs of the refugee children.