Lebanon‘s education system is on the brink of collapse, with children facing significant disruptions in their schooling due to the ongoing war and years of successive crises. A report from the Centre for Lebanese Studies and the University of Cambridge’s REAL Centre reveals that since 2018, Lebanese state schools have lost more than 760 teaching days due to war, strikes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic collapse.
Currently, about 40% of children drop out before reaching high school, and experts fear that without proper government intervention and international support, education gaps—especially for displaced children and refugees—will only widen. The report highlights that nearly 1 million children have been affected by the conflict, and 45,000 teachers have struggled with their livelihoods, with many displaced or financially burdened.
Since the war intensified in October, many schools in southern Lebanon have been destroyed, used as shelters, or located in conflict zones. Despite a fragile ceasefire, only a fraction of the schools have reopened, and issues like the lack of mental health support for traumatized students persist.
Children, especially Syrian refugees and those with disabilities, face significant barriers to enrolling and completing their education. Teachers, too, are facing challenges, with reduced incomes and a preference for online education due to safety concerns.
If Lebanon does not address these issues, experts warn of a “whole generation without learning,” leading to long-term social and economic consequences for the country.
Read Also
Germany Evacuates Citizens from Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions
Indian Embassy Warns: Avoid Non-Essential Travel to Lebanon
