A school pupil in an empty classroom in Lebanon. (Credit: Joseph Eid/AFP/File photo)
BEIRUT — The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) issued a statement Tuesday warning that Lebanon's public school closures of the past six weeks caused “large and persistent damage to children’s learning, mental and physical well-being and safety.”
Public school teachers across the country initiated a strike six weeks ago to protest deteriorating salaries and a lack of government assistance.
Teachers are requesting higher wages and transportation fees, improved health insurance, and the ability to receive part of their salaries in dollars.
In a Saturday statement, the League of Public Basic Education Teachers called for teachers to remain on strike as they have not yet been presented with “tangible” solutions by the caretaker Minister of Education Abbas Halabi.
UNICEF said it “acknowledges the dedication and commitment of teachers to their students and understands the negative impact of the economic crisis on their lives.”
However, it noted that “it is time now for all stakeholders to come together to ensure that all children get back to school and that learning is never interrupted again.”
“When schools close, early marriage increases, sexual exploitation and abuse of children and child labor rises. The impact will be devastating on the future and well-being of children and youth, their families, and Lebanon’s prosperity,” the statement warned.
A World Bank report estimated that “a lost year of schooling would translate into losses to the Lebanese economy of up to US $2.5 billion in the coming years.”
The Association of Public School Teachers met several times with Halabi and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and were given “promises that were not implemented.”
Last week, Mikati's caretaker cabinet approved various demands made by the Ministry of Education, but overlooked teachers' leagues' demands, arguing that approval from the Ministry of Finance is needed.
