One million children are out
of school after teachers’ strike

Afternoon classes suspended for security reasons

The recently launched open-ended strike by public school teachers has left 470,000 children out of school who were added to over half a million other children who were already out of school, according to Save the Children.

The teachers’ strike, which started on January 9, aims to improve pay and working conditions. It was started by teachers working ‘morning shifts’, who mainly teach Lebanese students.

Later on, afternoon classes which are primarily attended by Syrian refugee students were suspended by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in order to prevent tensions. Now all public schools are closed, leaving an estimated one million children deprived of learning.

Save the Children called for an immediate resolution to reopen schools and facilitate the registration and safe return of all children to schools.

According to the Minister of Education and Higher Education Abbas Halabi, the problem that is keeping the government from resolving education issues is lack of funds, and that the suspension of afternoon classes is due to security concerns. He said that having consulted with donor organizations and countries, and with the Prime Minster, he will present a proposal to the teachers. “I hope they will accept it, even though it does not meet all their demands,” he said.

The teachers said they will not resume work until the government pays its financial obligations due to them.