Lebanese Cabinet Approves New Education Curriculum and Multiple Appointments

The Lebanese Cabinet convened this morning at Baabda Palace under the chairmanship of President Michel Aoun, where it approved a series of appointments within the State Employees Cooperative, the Electricity Sector Regulatory Authority, the National Council for Scientific Research, and the Petroleum Sector.

Additionally, the Cabinet ratified the founding statute of the Beirut International Airport Authority and endorsed the draft decree for the Lebanese curriculum concerning public pre-university education.

Earlier, the Cabinet had also decided to cancel the secondary school certificate examinations for this year.

During the session, President Aoun emphasized the importance of monitoring the conditions of displaced persons, particularly in shelters, and initiating an assessment of damages caused by the recent aggression affecting housing units, infrastructure, agricultural lands, and the electricity and telecommunications sectors. This assessment aims to prepare for potential donor conferences focused on reconstruction.

He also called for the completion of procedures to promote employees from the third to the second category to enable the administration to meet modernization requirements and the country's needs.

Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam highlighted the completion of drafting tender specifications to assign a specialized entity to conduct a forensic investigation regarding electricity power ships. He urged ministers with suspicions of significant waste in their ministries warranting forensic audits to utilize the general part of the tender specifications.

Prior to the session, President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam met to discuss the agenda items.

After the session, Minister of Information Dr. Paul Marwan Marcus read out the Cabinet's resolutions, stating that the weekly meeting at the Presidential Palace included the attendance of the President, the Prime Minister, and ministers, except for the Minister of Information. The Council reviewed political, security, and humanitarian developments alongside routine and administrative matters.

At the session's outset, President Aoun addressed the Lebanese people, particularly the Shiite community, on the occasion of Ashura, which falls tomorrow. He recalled a statement by the late Imam Musa al-Sadr describing Ashura as a perpetual school embodying sacrifice, redemption, and rejection of injustice, not merely a passing commemoration but a moment to draw lessons in patience and steadfastness on principles.

Prime Minister Salam remarked that about a month ago, the Cabinet approved the necessary funding requested by the Ministry of Energy to prepare tender specifications for assigning a specialized entity to conduct a forensic investigation related to electricity power ships, a process now nearing completion.

He emphasized that the tender specifications consist of two parts: a general part applicable to any forensic audit in any ministry and a specific part concerning the power ships.

Salam reaffirmed that ministers suspecting significant waste in their ministries sufficient to warrant forensic audits could benefit from the general part of these specifications. He described this initiative as a commendable step and encouraged other ministries to follow suit, underscoring the government's commitment to reform, transparency, and combating waste and corruption.

The Cabinet then heard interventions, including from the Minister of Health, who outlined preventive measures to avoid the Ebola virus reaching Lebanon following its outbreak in several African countries. These measures include airport and border controls and proactive hospital procedures in cooperation with the World Health Organization after the first case was recorded in France. The minister confirmed no Ebola cases exist in Lebanon and requested cooperation with the Ministry of Information for a preventive awareness campaign.

The Minister of Telecommunications reported on a fire that broke out two days prior in one of the warehouses of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Ogero in Dekwaneh. He expressed gratitude to the Civil Defense, Beirut Fire Brigade, Lebanese Army, security forces, local authorities, and all who helped contain the fire, particularly saluting Civil Defense Director Brigadier General Imad Khoury. The fire occurred in one section of a complex housing multiple warehouses and departments. Thanks to firefighting efforts, the fire was contained, preventing its spread and further damage. No casualties were reported, and the minister wished a speedy recovery to the firefighters who bravely fulfilled their duties.

He added that there are currently two parallel tracks: an internal investigation by the ministry and relevant bodies to assess the damage and losses and inventory affected assets, and a security and judicial investigation to determine causes and circumstances. He urged the public not to preempt investigation results or draw unsupported conclusions, as this could harm the investigation's progress and truth-seeking. The ministry commits to transparency and will announce findings once investigations conclude, aiming solely to uncover the truth and prevent recurrence.

The Cabinet then reviewed and approved most agenda items, notably the following appointments:

- State Employees Cooperative: Nazih Hammoud appointed as General Manager.

- Electricity Sector Regulatory Authority: Lawyer Christina Issam Abi Haidar appointed as full-time member.

- National Council for Scientific Research: Dr. Asaad Antoine Eid appointed President; members include Dr. Sati' al-Arnaout as Vice President, Professor Ramzi al-Hafez, Dr. Ne'ma Azouri, Dr. Mari Abboud, Dr. Nassim Faris, Dr. Dima Issa, Dr. Mari Fawzi Shamas, Dr. Joseph Constantine, Dr. Lama Matar, Dr. Nader Siraj, Dr. Salah Zain al-Din, Dr. Muhammad Talal Mustafa Fran, Professor Hani Moussa Abbas, and Dr. Ali Abdul Rida Faour.

- Petroleum Sector Management Authority: Jean Paul Sabbagh, Fawzi Khalifa, Grace Rashid, Kabi Daaboul, Wissam al-Dahabi, and Wissam Shbat appointed.

The Council also approved the Ministry of Public Works and Transport's request to ratify the founding statute of the Beirut International Airport Authority and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's request to endorse the draft decree for the Lebanese curriculum for public pre-university education, along with several other agenda items.

Following the session, Minister Marcus engaged with journalists, responding to several inquiries.

Regarding the proposed law on national service, he stated that it was not approved due to studies by several ministries that included observations or outright rejection.

On the subject of electricity in Zahle, he mentioned an extension of provisions related to public service operations.

When asked about direct negotiations with Israel amid Hezbollah's objections, Marcus said the results of ongoing negotiations have not been presented. If necessary, they will be brought before the Cabinet in accordance with Article 52 of the Constitution.

Minister of Education Rima Karam later addressed questions about the Cabinet's decision to exempt students from official secondary certificate exams, a decision she announced during the session.

Asked about calls for introducing an ethics curriculum following criticism she faced, Karam said the approval of new curricula today is an occasion to celebrate. These curricula focus on skills including how to live as citizens in a diverse country committed to freedom of expression. She expressed hope that this marks a new phase, with attention to social cohesion through inter-ministerial initiatives involving Education, Information, and Culture ministries, and a long-term cooperation program with the Ministries of Education, Information, Youth, and Sports.

Regarding satisfaction with the exam cancellation decision and justice at the certificate level, she acknowledged the exceptional circumstances and rapid developments. Despite her personal insistence on holding the exams and no alternative solution, the political and security consensus on instability made waiting impossible. She accepted the decision as the best possible under current conditions, though she personally remains dissatisfied compared to her original aspirations. She noted that despite intense criticism, she maintained her stance hoping for changed conditions to allow exams.

On whether a 9.5 average is low, she clarified this threshold is standard for the secondary certificate.

Concerning the TS and LT certificates, she explained these were added after being inadvertently omitted during the session, confirming the decision covers both general and vocational education.

Asked if the decision would confuse schools regarding grades, she said no perfect solution exists for the current situation. The March 1 cutoff was based on a prior decision recommended by the Educational Council and agreed upon by the Cabinet, disallowing consideration of material taught after March. She emphasized that students were evaluated on about 60% of the curriculum delivered before that date in both public and private education.

When questioned about students who passed school but failed official exams, she stated that the exceptional session includes free candidates, those needing to compensate for failures, and students who passed but require the certificate for work, scholarships, or university admission. According to law, once a student sits for the official exams, their school results cannot be considered. Students must understand that failing the official exams means they cannot revert to school grades, which is standard practice.

On the location of the exceptional session, she noted preparations are underway to accommodate candidates based on their residence, with a month granted to finalize arrangements.

Asked if the session could be canceled due to further developments and the fate of affected students, she said school certificates are now accepted, and if new developments occur, these certificates could be relied upon.

Regarding criteria for the exceptional session and curriculum, she said nothing will change. The exams were originally intended for free candidates without alterations to conditions or subjects. The consensus is to cover material taught before March 1, and the governing law for exam sessions will apply. The exams themselves will be fair.

When asked about the implementation timeline for the new curriculum, she stated the decree has been issued and published, providing for a gradual transition. Next year, it will be optional and apply to primary stages.

On how the international community will perceive students without official certificates, she affirmed her commitment to ensuring every student obtains an official certificate that opens doors abroad for work and study. She pledged cooperation with universities and preparations for the next academic year to improve readiness if exams remain canceled. She expressed pride in Lebanese students' resilience and commitment to education despite challenges.