Northern Ireland: Young asylum seekers face restricted access to education
Some young asylum seekers in Northern Ireland feel with limited access to education and specialised support.
This year, 10 out of 15 children who arrived here during Year 12 secured school places.
The Department of Education said there was no statutory duty to educate beyond 16 years of age.
However, other parts of the UK have education programmes for asylum seekers when compulsory education ends.
Among them are sisters - Afnan and Nafisa-Alislam Elmahina - who came to Northern Ireland from Sudan, when fighting broke out between rival military factions in April.
Nafisa said coming to Northern Ireland brought a feeling of optimism for the future but she felt there was something "freezing" her from achieving this.
Meanwhile, Afnan said she really struggled with her situation in Northern Ireland.
"I think being just at home and trying to find something to do - it's very hard, I was always trying to volunteer or do anything."
