Karami Met with a Delegation from Nabatiye on Launching the Academic Year

Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Riya Karami met with an educational and municipal delegation from the city of Nabatiye, including municipal council member Muhammad Faran, principal of the public Hasan Kamal Al-Sabah Secondary School Abbas Shmisan, principal of Kfar Raman Girls' Secondary School Nisreen Moghrab, principal of Kfar Raman Public Kindergarten Rana Farhat, principal of the Teacher's Nursery Salma Muhammad Jabar Miriam Shmisan, director of Al-Manar Institute Muhammad Atwi, director of the Canadian Academy Ali Yassine, and director of Sond School Mohammad Drouish.

Karami was briefed by the delegation on the educational situation in the University Quarter area where these institutions are located, as well as in Kfar Raman and the Nabatiye region, highlighting the unique security context. They informed her of their desire to launch the academic year on schedule in person, and discussed necessary measures to support this initiative.

Karami welcomed the delegation, shook their hands, and praised their commitment to ensuring continuity of education aligned with the ministry’s goals. She emphasized that 'the ministry’s plan aims to preserve the identity of public schools, even those damaged or destroyed,' and stressed 'flexibility in launching the academic year according to each institution’s geographic location, choosing between in-person, hybrid, or remote learning models.'

The group conveyed through the minister a plea to the President of the Republic and the Speakers of the Parliament and Council of Ministers to 'take measures that encourage residents to remain in their homes by intensifying military and security forces’ presence and reopening the General Security Directorate, thereby enhancing public confidence.'

Karami updated the delegation on ongoing coordination with the South Council regarding repair and rehabilitation of damaged schools, clarifying that 'this is why she committed to making the first four weeks of the academic year flexible,' and affirmed 'readiness to adjust them based on evolving circumstances and the complexity of the field situation in the region.'

She urged school directors to maintain continuous monitoring of parents, teachers, and their locations to preserve the connection between schools and their students and staff.

She noted that 'secondary and public schools may consider relocating to alternative available buildings, especially since the South Council is ready to assist with repairs.'

Regarding private schools needing relocation to alternate premises, Karami agreed to 'facilitate the move and streamline certain procedures, but without compromising at all on standards verifying the structural integrity and safety of the building for use, to ensure student and staff safety.'

Karami was informed by the delegation about private schools temporarily forced to halt operations requesting exceptional treatment within the compensation fund to prevent disruption of the teacher-fund relationship and loss of teacher compensation. She pledged to follow up on the matter with the Compensation Fund.