LEBANON: Syrian refugee students begin the school year in Lebanon's Tripoli, continuing their education following the Syrian curriculum and taught by Syrian teachers

Record ID: 276443

  • Title: LEBANON: Syrian refugee students begin the school year in Lebanon's Tripoli, continuing their education following the Syrian curriculum and taught by Syrian teachers
  • Date: 8th October 2012
  • Summary: TEACHER DISTRIBUTING SCHOOL BAGS TO STUDENTS GROUP OF BOYS IN CLASSROOM CLOSE OF BOY
  • Embargoed: 23rd October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics,Education
  • Reuters ID: LVA6GPZOVKSVAAK67I4HKBGGM78I
  • Story Text: Schools in northern Lebanon's Tripoli opened their doors on Monday (October 1) to Syrian refugee children, allowing them to continue their studies following the Syrian curriculum and taught by Syrian teachers who have also been displaced by the unrest.
    Many Syrian students arrived accompanied by their parents, with both the Lebanese and Syrian flags displayed in various parts of the school.
    The schooling will focus mainly on the subjects of sciences, mathematics and language courses given between 3pm and 7pm in four afternoon sessions during the week, explained Ghassan Hobloss, the director of Islamic Education Association which is providing the education for the students for free.
    "(We have) 4,500 students to date, from first grade to the end of secondary level, and we are carrying out this project all over Lebanon, from the south to Bekaa and in Beirut, where estimated numbers exceed 15,000 students,'' Hobloss told Reuters Television.
    The programme is provided by 'Al-Iman' schools and institutes, led by the Islamic Education Association. The association has seven schools and one institute for girls across Tripoli, Akkar and al-Dunnieh, in northern Lebanon.
    "We adopted the Syrian curriculum to be more in tune with the students' circumstances, except for Grade 9 and mathematics second level (Grade 12) where we adopted the Lebanese curriculum but always using Arabic,'' added Hobloss.
    Syrian students learn most of their courses in Arabic, with English taught as a second language. The Lebanese curriculum teaches French also, but gives the choice to students to sit their exams in Arabic, French or English. Syrian students will also have the opportunity to sit Lebanese exams, which are recognised internationally.
    As to the level of difficulty facing the students, teacher Mirwa Zaarour says the curriculum will be easier on the students especially in the younger levels.
    "The academic year during the primary stage will be relatively easy because the teachers know how to deal with the children. For the higher levels, the curriculum will be a bit easier because teachers will give lessons to students, not at their current level but instead by giving them the basics, especially for Grade 9 and Baccalaureate levels,'' said Mirwa Zaarour, Syrian teacher giving courses for Syrian refugee students in primary levels.
    The programme of educating Syrian students is funded by Lebanese, Arab and International NGOs, in addition to the ministry of social affairs, said Hobloss, who added that his association is expecting more financial support following a scheduled meeting soon with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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