First Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Governance in Education Sector Project

The education sector in Lebanon has faced major challenges and pressures in recent years, as students, teachers, and other members of the educational community look for tangible steps to strengthen the system’s ability to respond and sustain itself. In this context, this week marked a new practical step, supported by the Federal Republic of Germany, as the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) hosted the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the EDU GOV project on governance in Lebanon’s education sector, aiming to advance joint efforts in support of education reform priorities.

The meeting was chaired by Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Reima Karami, with participation from her team, and representatives from the German side including Acting Head of Mission and Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Lebanon Ms. Yasmin Rayya, Head of the Development Cooperation Division Ms. Ota Simon, Representative of GIZ in Lebanon Mr. Matthias Wagner, Project Manager of EDUGOV Mr. Denis Simon, along with advisors from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, project partners, and their representatives.

The meeting represented a significant step toward enhancing cooperation and coordination between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, GIZ, and implementing partners, aligning with the Ministry’s vision for development and education reform—particularly in areas such as strengthening governance, developing institutional structures and capacities, and improving inclusive school management practices.

It should be noted that the Federal Republic of Germany supports the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in strengthening the administrative role of educational regions and enhancing their capabilities, as well as supporting the development of necessary institutional and legal frameworks to improve the effectiveness of decentralized educational administration. This means that when regional offices are integrated into the broader system, students and parents receive better, more efficient services.

During the meeting, participants reviewed progress made in implementing the project, discussed strategic priorities for the upcoming phase, and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining close coordination between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, GIZ, and the project’s implementing partners.

The project focuses on the following areas:

* Strengthening the administrative role and capacities of educational regions through the development of institutional and legal frameworks governing their operations.

* Implementing capacity-building programs that promote social inclusion and support educational governance among relevant institutions and education personnel.

* Supporting school-level management development and enhancing coordination and communication across central, regional, and school levels.

These interventions aim to strengthen the alignment between national reform priorities led by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and their implementation at the level of educational regions and schools.

Effective governance and institutional reform are foundational pillars for an education system capable of performing its functions efficiently and ensuring all children and youth in Lebanon have access to high-quality, inclusive education.

The EDU GOV project on governance in Lebanon’s education sector is implemented under mandate from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with GIZ executing it in partnership with Lebanon’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education.