Lebanese Students Affected by Israels Ongoing Conflict

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Hundreds of thousands of students and teachers in Lebanon have been displaced due to Israel’s ongoing war, exacerbating the country’s education system crisis. The conflict has resulted in widespread destruction of schools across southern Lebanon, with over 339 schools located in war zones or serving as shelters for displaced individuals.

According to UNESCO, more than 1.2 million people in Lebanon have been displaced since March, including 500,000 school-aged children. Many schools that were once accessible are now inaccessible due to the ongoing conflict.

In response to the crisis, some educational institutions have turned to online learning, while others have implemented hybrid learning models. However, experts note that these solutions can be ineffective for vulnerable students due to limited internet access, electricity shortages, and unstable living conditions.

The Ministry of Higher Education has proposed several initiatives to address the issue, including opening multiple shifts at public schools and setting up temporary learning centers. Additionally, psychosocial and mental health services are being integrated into education programs to support students affected by the conflict.

Experts emphasize that the education system’s primary goal is to build citizens, and the loss of a generation due to displacement poses significant challenges for Lebanon’s future. According to Carlos Naffah, an academic researcher, “We don’t want to face the fact that we lost a generation.”

Tala Abdulghani, a senior researcher at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship, notes that hybrid learning has become the norm in Lebanon due to continuous instability, but it often proves ineffective for vulnerable students. Maysoun Chehab, senior education programme specialist at UNESCO, highlights the need for support services to address the trauma, anxiety, and fear experienced by displaced children.

The Ministry of Education and other NGOs are providing support to students where possible, despite Lebanon’s economic crisis and reduced humanitarian aid.

Source: Al Jazeera