Amid escalating conflict and deepening crisis in Lebanon, children, families and educators continue to face devastating consequences. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, and vital public infrastructure, including schools have been damaged or repurposed as shelters. No political or military objective can justify the denial of children’s right to safe, quality education and the protection of educators.
Years of economic collapse have already weakened the public education system, with teachers’ salaries losing most of their value and working conditions deteriorating sharply. The current escalation has deepened this crisis, forcing schools to close, disrupting learning for over a million children, and leaving many without access to education at all. Schools face severe shortages of resources, while infrastructure has been damaged or neglected, further restricting access to quality education.
Children across Lebanon are experiencing profound disruption. Many are unable to attend school due to insecurity, displacement, or lack of access to remote learning. Living under the constant threat of violence and instability has had serious impacts on their mental health and wellbeing, with rising levels of anxiety, fear and uncertainty about the future.
Despite these challenges, educators and trade unions continue to work to support students and sustain learning under extremely difficult conditions. The National Education Union stands in solidarity with education unions in Lebanon and will continue to support their efforts to defend the right to education and uphold the rights of teachers and students.
Safeguarding education is essential to protecting children’s rights, supporting communities, and ensuring that hope for the future is not lost. The international community must act urgently to support Lebanon’s education system, its students and educators, and to protect civilians and uphold the right to education for all.