The Strengthening of Educational Programs in South Lebanon
(A post-war rehabilitation project)

Duration of the project
November 2006 to March 2008
(Part of a 3 year plan ending in November 2009)

Sponsors
Agence Espagnole de Coopération Internationale (AECI)
Local contribution

Partner
Fundacion Promocion Social de la Cultura (Spain)

Objective and description
The project covers the regions of Marjayoun and Bint Jbeil, heavily affected by the July-August 2006 war. The project's general aim is to improve the quality of primary and secondary education, as well as professional technical education.

The 5 schools in which the project's services are implemented are: Saint Joseph school in Ain Ebel, Saint George School in Tibnine, Notre Dame of Lebanon School in Rmeich, Our Lady of Annunciation School in Rmeich, and Saint Joseph School in Debel.

The project includes 3 main actions:

1- Help make access to education easier through the distribution of school kits prior to the 2007/2008 school year.

2- Improve the quality of primary and secondary education in underprivileged regions of South Lebanon by providing advanced formation to teachers.

3- Setting up schooling support classes for children having learning difficulties.

4- Providing new equipment and school materials for the targeted schools.

The training center part of the Aitaroun cooperative will be re-equipped to be able to host again sessions on professional formation for youth with no qualifications. Two courses on 'how to choose your first employment' will complete this program.

Beneficiaries
300 school kits distributed to 300 students
120 students benefiting from the schooling support classes
60 teachers receiving advanced formation
60 unemployed youth receiving a CV writing course

Achievements (as per October 2007)

1- The above mentioned schools have been helped to purchase material and/or equipment benefiting 2,137 students. These equipment/material aimed at upgrading the schools creating a good environment in order to better serve the students. (click for photos)

2- Upon the requests of the schools’ directors, a formation for teachers was undertaken and targeted the following three topics: psychological support, peer education and conflict resolution. 61 teachers benefited from this formation which meant to:
Differentiate between psychological difficulties and psychological disorders, deal with students symptoms of war related trauma and post traumatic disorders and identify students in need of psychological support.
Identify the communication skills, the principles for working with children and youths, build critical thinking as well as involve children and youth in the learning process. 
Define a conflict, the children’s role in conflict resolution and the supportive environment to prevent/deal with classroom/school conflict. (click for photos) 

3- A youth formation training benefited the students and unemployed youth. It targeted job seeking, curriculum vitae writing and self promotion in a region where job opportunities are scarce and financial means are limited. Youth from Tibnine, Rmeich, Ain Ebel, Debel and Yaroun villages benefited from this workshop. (click for photos)

4- Remedial classes where undertaken in all schools in order to prevent drop out of the students. The classes targeted French, Arabic, English and Math lessons in primary and secondary sections.  A total number of 233 students benefited from these classes. These classes will continue during the academic year 2007–2008. (click for photos)

5- School kits were distributed for students coming from distressed families. A total number of 153 school kits were distributed in the five schools decreasing the heavy cost on the families and rendering drop outs difficult.
 
6- The last activity will focus on the additional formations for teachers/parents concerning psychological issues related to children. These formations will be undertaken during the school year. 

 

Other post-war rehabilitation project:

The Lebanon Education Assistance Development (LEAD) Program
Educational and cultural activities for youth in North Lebanon
Economic recovery program for women in war affected regions
Support to rural families affected by the war through the development of cattle raising