Karami chaired a national meeting on reproductive health education in new curricula

Minister of Education and Higher Education Riya Karami chaired a national meeting dedicated to monitoring the development of reproductive health education within Lebanon’s new educational curricula, reviewing achievements in this field, with participation from Professor Hayam Ishak, head of the Educational Research and Development Center, Dr. Akram Saqib, Secretary General of Curriculum Development Committees, alongside representatives from Islamic and Christian institutions, educational experts, and curriculum specialists.

The meeting included Dr. Osama Ibrahim al-Haddad from the Grand Mufti's Office, Dr. Muhammad Hijazi from the Supreme Islamic Shia Council, Sheikh Fadl Suleiman from the Druze Unit’s Dar al-Tawhid, Father Joseph Nassar, General Secretary of Catholic Schools, Suhayr Shweiri representing Naela Dabbouh from Orthodox Schools, Ruth Solibi representing Dr. Nabil Kustah from Evangelical Schools, Father Germanos Germanos from Catholic Schools, Dr. Samer Zaitoun, Coordinator of the Field of Life and Cultural Activities in Curriculum Development Committees, Dr. Micheline Aoun, Coordinator of the Reproductive Health Field, Dr. Eli Mkhail, Curriculum Development Expert, Rana Abdullah, Academic Committee Coordinator, and Khadija Al-Masri, Head of the School Health and Environment Department.

The meeting reviewed the progress made by curriculum development committees in the field of reproductive health education, particularly the achieved consensus between Islamic and Christian religious authorities, in collaboration with curriculum experts, regarding the specific competencies and core and sub-competencies for reproductive health education, within a framework respecting the distinctiveness of each faith tradition and safeguarding shared religious, ethical, and human values embraced by all institutions.

It also presented the pedagogical and methodological foundations underpinning the formulation of these competencies and outcomes, ensuring scientifically sound learning that aligns with ethical, human, and religious values, reflecting Lebanon’s unique social fabric based on coexistence, dialogue, and respect for diversity—characteristics that define Lebanon’s identity and mission.

Participants affirmed that this consensus represents a "distinguished national milestone in the curriculum development process, offering a Lebanese model for addressing sensitive educational issues through dialogue and mutual understanding, reinforcing the balance between scientific foundations and societal values, and laying the groundwork for advancing subsequent stages of developing reproductive health education within Lebanon’s new curricula."