DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/2663-4619/114/78-83
Ola Majthoub
National University of Public Service
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6436-3478
ola.majthoub@gmail.com
Syrian Refugees’ Access to Education and Healthcare in Jordan
Abstract
This article examines the practices of social exclusion faced by Syrian refugees in Jordan, specifically with access to education and healthcare services. A qualitative study methodology was employed, involving in-depth interviews with 13 Syrian refugees residing in Mafraq Governorate. The study aims to understand how refugees perceive and navigate barriers to public services, as well as the resistance tactics they utilize to address these barriers. The results indicate that financial difficulties, geographic separation, and absence of legal paperwork are the primary obstacles to obtaining essential services. While several participants conveyed satisfaction with the services offered, others described experiences of exclusion, including school dropouts attributable to poverty and restricted access to healthcare resulting from insufficient insurance or financial assistance. Cultural attitudes and structural barriers further influence the persistence of exclusion. Refugees commonly rely on personal networks, informal assistance, and adaptive methods, like silence, disengagement, or selective involvement, to navigate these challenges. The article improves the comprehension of how structural and cultural forces converge to influence refugee experiences in host communities.
Keywords: Syrian refugees, social exclusion, education, healthcare, Jordan, public services, qualitative research, Mafraq Governorate, refugee integration, resistance strategies