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Over 400,000 children in Lebanon are expected to receive free education this year under the Back to School campaign, despite dwindling funds on the part of international donors.
The Education Ministry - with the support of UNICEF, UNHCR, UNESCO, the World Bank and other international donors - launched this year’s Back to School campaign. Titled ‘Abtal Al-Madrasa (“School Heroes”), the campaign celebrated those who prioritize presence and success in school above all else.
“A child’s place is in school. But before children can go to schools several people and institutions - who believe in the importance of education - must step in to remove hurdles and pave the way for these children. Those are the people we honor today,” Tanya Chapuisat, UNICEF’s representative in Lebanon, said according to a media release.
As part of the initiative, all children in public schools are provided with text books and stationery. Tuition fees for non-Lebanese students are paid for. The Parent Council fees ($60) are covered for Lebanese children, while the government is responsible for paying the remaining school fees.
Last year, 260,000 Lebanese and 195,000 non-Lebanese children between the age of 3 and 18 were enrolled in school. The funds from 14 donor countries, 4 U.N. agencies, more than 100 local and international NGOs in addition to hundreds of Lebanese civil servants in public institutions, aim to ensure the continuation of the children’s basic education for this academic year.
However, the Back to School initiative faces a $9.8 million funding gap, which is expected to reach $25 - 35 million next year.
“The Lebanese public education system is under a lot of strain and in need of substantial improvement of systems and capacities. We can only continue our successes through the sustained commitment of the international community to the future of children in Lebanon and their enrolment in schools,” Education Minister Marwan Hamadeh said.
Source: The Daily Star
