Donors in Brussels Urgently Needed to Address the Education Crisis in Lebanon

Dispatches: Donors in Brussels Should Act on Lebanon Education Crisis

Action Critical to Avoid Another Lost Year of Education

By | June 14, 2023

Brussels, Belgium – Many students in Lebanon risk losing another year of school unless foreign donors meeting in Brussels this week can come up with a viable plan to deal with the education crisis. Public-school students, including Syrian refugees, have already suffered through four years of chaos, with 27 percent dropping out just last year alone. Donor support to education is critical to stabilizing the school system, but relying on Lebanese authorities to implement that support risks a fifth lost year.

Learning in Lebanon collapsed during two years of COVID-related school closures. As Lebanon‘s financial crisis worsened, teachers’ salaries plunged, further exacerbating the education crisis. International donors attempted to address this issue by repurposing funds to boost teachers’ income. However, the education ministry reportedly lost track of and misallocated these funds, leading to teachers’ strikes and limited classroom time for students. The international norm of 180 days of school was reduced to just 60 in each of the last two years.

The root causes of the education crisis in Lebanon are mismanagement and lack of accountability, as highlighted by the recent report from the Center for Lebanese Studies. Despite an average of US$250 million in donor education aid to Lebanon each year, aimed at ensuring quality education for every child, including Syrian refugees, it is difficult to determine how this money is being allocated and spent. Hundreds of thousands of Syrian children were left out of school, even though their education was supposedly paid for by donors.

The education ministry’s 5-year strategy for 2021-2025 and its “Reform Roadmap” for 2023-2025 have not been published, leaving donors frustrated and uncertain about the future of education in Lebanon. Moreover, a mechanism announced a year ago to ensure timeliness of funds disbursement, linked to existing funding commitments, has not been implemented.

A Call for Urgent Action

In light of these challenges, donors participating in this week’s conference should take immediate action to address the education crisis in Lebanon. Relying solely on the education ministry has proven ineffective, and a new approach is needed. The following four steps are crucial to ensure access to education for all students and improve accountability:

First, establish an emergency education plan and restore access to all students:

The immediate priority should be to develop a comprehensive emergency education plan that addresses the needs of all students, including those who have been left behind due to the ongoing crisis. This plan should prioritize access to quality education and provide support to students who have faced significant disruption in their learning.

Next, assess and publish the costs of the school year:

Transparency is key in addressing the financial crisis facing the education system in Lebanon. It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment of the costs associated with the upcoming school year and make this information publicly available. This will help hold authorities accountable and ensure that funds are allocated appropriately.

Regularly publish information about funding allocations, expenditures, and results:

To improve accountability, it is imperative to regularly publish information about how funds are being allocated, expended, and the outcomes achieved. This will provide greater transparency and enable donors and other stakeholders to track the impact of their investments and identify areas for improvement.

Bypass government channels and deliver aid directly to teachers and schools:

Given the mismanagement and lack of accountability within the education ministry, donors should consider alternative channels for delivering aid. Collaborating with the UN, teachers, and other education providers can help ensure that resources reach those who need them most. Direct delivery of aid to teachers and schools can help bypass bureaucratic inefficiencies and guarantee that funds are utilized effectively.

Conclusion

The education crisis in Lebanon requires urgent action from donors meeting in Brussels this week. The ongoing mismanagement and lack of accountability have already resulted in significant setbacks for students, particularly Syrian refugees. It is crucial for donors to shift their approach and work directly with stakeholders on the ground, such as the UN and teachers, to ensure that funds are properly allocated and utilized. By taking immediate action, donors can help prevent another lost year of education and provide a lifeline to the students of Lebanon.

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