Protesters in front of the headquarters of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in Beirut. (Credit: Anne-Marie el-Hage/L’Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — Several hundred high school seniors from public and private schools across Lebanon rallied Friday outside the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, calling on Minister Rima Karami to ease her stance on the Lebanese baccalaureate exams set for July 9.“Minister Karami, we don’t want a civil war. This protest is peaceful. We’re simply demanding our rights — the ability to choose elective subjects for the official exams and a reduction in the curriculum,” the students chanted in unison, accompanied by a darbouka, applause and patriotic songs.During an April 30 news conference, Karami defended her decision to retain the full list of exam subjects, saying, “The credibility of our official exams, both at home and abroad, warrants all the preparation and effort required.” She added that exam syllabuses had already been reduced by...
BEIRUT — Several hundred high school seniors from public and private schools across Lebanon rallied Friday outside the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, calling on Minister Rima Karami to ease her stance on the Lebanese baccalaureate exams set for July 9.“Minister Karami, we don’t want a civil war. This protest is peaceful. We’re simply demanding our rights — the ability to choose elective subjects for the official exams and a reduction in the curriculum,” the students chanted in unison, accompanied by a darbouka, applause and patriotic songs.During an April 30 news conference, Karami defended her decision to retain the full list of exam subjects, saying, “The credibility of our official exams, both at home and abroad, warrants all the preparation and effort required.” She added that exam syllabuses had already...