Adolescents between Siege and Hope

IFI in partnership with Plan International Lebanon presented the results of their joint study “Adolescents between Siege and Hope,” on May 16, 2024. Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA), the study examines the educational and social factors leading to secondary school dropouts among vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees. Following opening remarks by IFI Assistant Director Yara Mourad, Director General of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) Dr. Imad Achkar, and Director of Programmes at Plan International Lebanon Elissa Al Hassrouny, a presentation of the study’s main findings was given by IFI Project Coordinator Nadia Nameh, and Education Specialist at Plan International Massa Al Mufti.

The presentation was followed by a panel discussion with MEHE Head of the Secondary Education Directorate Dr. Khaled Fayed, Education Manager for System Strengthening at UNICEF Alvaro Fortin, National Education Program Coordinator at UNESCO Assem Abi Ali, and Dr. Adnan El Amine, IFI Associate Fellow and Higher Education Policy specialist.

As underlined during the event, secondary school dropouts have become prevalent in Lebanon, with 19% of children not attending school, mostly girls. This causes many children to leave school without acquiring the necessary skills. This research aimed at understanding the sociological and educational factors that influence children dropping out of secondary school. The study recommended, among others, that MEHE strengthen the secondary education system by implementing the new school protection policy and relying on a robust monitoring system and accountability mechanisms. The study pointed out the need to reassess recruitment processes, improve teachers' training, and conduct comprehensive research to understand the challenges faced by teachers and school directors.

You can read the full study and the executive summary here.
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