$71 million funding gap
for the education sector

UNHCR subsidizes school fees for half a million students

There is a 20 percent funding gap in the education sector, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Out of $349.5 million needed, $130.6 million were received, and $147.6 million were carried over from 2021.

In 2022, the UNHCR fully or partially subsidized registration fees for public and UNRWA schools for over 543,100 individuals. It fully and partially subsidized registration fees for regulated Non-Formal Education and Minimum Foundation Education programs for more than 27,700 individuals, and provided remedial or homework support programs for around 23,300 individuals, according to the organization’s third quarter report for 2022.

The UNHCR reached out to 43,000 individuals out of a 260,000 yearly target through follow-up of children who were out of education and those who have dropped out and referred them to relevant education and protection programs. More than 75,000 children and youth received meals or snacks in public schools or community centers, representing 111 percent of the annual target.

The retention programs that target Lebanese and non-Lebanese children enrolled in public schools from grade 1 to 9 and who are at risk of dropping out due to poor academic performance and achievements, were provided to more than 23,000 out of nearly 28,500 children, representing 82 percent of the annual target.

Challenges included the families’ struggle to pay for school-related costs and fees, such as school supplies, transportation, and food. There is also the risk of children dropping out of school to engage in child labor or child marriage, in addition to the massive learning losses in studies, that was addressed through summer catch-up programs to all Lebanese and non-Lebanese children in grades 1 to 8.

Priorities included supporting the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in cholera preparedness and response and developing education sector needs analysis and the response-planning documents for 2023, in addition to prioritizing cash for education throughout UNHCR’s partners programs.