19 hrs ago
Lebanon’s Displaced Children Face Uncertain Return to School
Many children in southern Lebanon have had to live in schools instead of attending classes.
Their families left home because of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Some children have missed two years of school.
The school year is supposed to begin on September 15.
Some schools will reopen, but others are still shelters or are badly damaged.
Families worry about where they will live when schools reopen.
They also worry about paying for books and uniforms.
Aid groups say the problem will not be fully solved without a lasting ceasefire.
More than 340,000 people remain displaced in Lebanon after months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Nearly 80 public schools were still being used as shelters as the September 15 school year approached.
About 30 schools may partially reopen, while nine remain fully occupied by displaced families.
The war damaged or destroyed more than 250 public schools, threatening education for at least 100,000 children.
Families fear losing shelter, affording school supplies and helping children recover from years of disrupted schooling.
- Who
- Thousands of displaced Lebanese children and their families, along with Lebanon’s education authorities and aid groups.
- What
- Displaced children face uncertain schooling as public schools used as shelters prepare to reopen.
- Where
- Southern Lebanon, especially Tyre and villages including Mansouri and Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh.
- When
- The report was published September 4, ahead of the academic year beginning September 15.
- Why
- Fighting damaged homes and schools, displaced families and disrupted children’s education.
Key facts
- School-year start
- September 15
- People still displaced
- More than 340,000
- Schools used as shelters
- Nearly 80 public schools
- Schools remaining fully occupied
- Nine
- Schools partially reopening as shelters
- About 30
- Schools destroyed or severely damaged
- 50 public schools
- Children’s education at risk
- At least 100,000, according to the United Nations
Quotes
Zeinab Moussa
A 56-year-old displaced woman living in tents at a school shelter with her family.
“They’ve been out of school for two years — the last war and this war. My son’s daughter, the poor girl is eight years old. She was a second year and she’s still a second year”
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“I just wish that the children could live their childhoods. But there’s no childhood now.”
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Danny Glenwright
President of Save the Children Canada.
“Children we spoke to over the past few days know what the solution is. It’s a political solution. There’s no humanitarian solution here”
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