Lebanon is betting on a comprehensive reform of its education system. On Tuesday morning, the Grand Serail hosted the strategic administrative meeting of the Transition Resilience Education Fund (TREF), during which Prime Minister Nawaf Salam outlined the government’s key priorities for the education sector. In a country where successive crises have threatened the fundamental right to education, the government aims to place public schools at the center of its agenda.
Beyond keeping schools open and continuing the support already provided by TREF, the Lebanese government is committed to strengthening funding for public education, from primary schools to higher education at the Lebanese University. This commitment is paired with a clear goal: to restore teachers’ status and central role in knowledge transmission by ensuring dignified working conditions and robust institutional support, as highlighted by the Prime Minister in his address at the meeting.
A major focus is the modernization of the Ministry of Education. Administrative and institutional reforms are underway to equip the ministry with more transparent and efficient management tools. The aim is to create an administration capable of meeting the needs of students and teachers across all regions of the country.
The government also seeks to go beyond administrative reforms by overhauling curricula and teaching methods. Observing that current textbooks do not fully prepare students for today’s realities, the plan emphasizes the integration of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, as well as the development of transversal skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and practical competencies. The curriculum overhaul aims to align Lebanese education with international standards and equip the younger generation to thrive in a rapidly changing environment, according to Prime Minister Salam.
Finally, international cooperation remains crucial. While the Lebanese state bears primary responsibility for education, the government stresses that the success of this program also depends on collaboration with the international community and TREF partners.
Launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in partnership with UNICEF and contributing partners including the European Union and Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW), the TREF provides an innovative framework to support education governance, transparency, and quality learning outcomes, particularly for children who are out of school or at risk of falling behind.
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