China supports 86,000 school children in Lebanon

Beirut, 23 October 2017 – More than 310 students enrolled in the Accelerated Learning Programme at the Irshad Public School received today school supplies distributed to them by H.E. Ambassador Wang Kejian, Ambassador of China, H.E. Mr. Marwan Hamadeh, Minister of Education and Higher Education and Ms. Tanya Chapuisat, UNICEF’s Representative in Lebanon.

The distribution is part of the Government of China’s support to Lebanon’s Reach All Children with Education (RACE) strategy. The grant from the Chinese government will provide more than 86,000 children enrolled in formal and non-formal education opportunities with school supplies for the current scholastic year.

“We hope these supplies will help students continue with the education and relieve them of the negative impact of conflict and war” said H.E. Ambassador Wang during the visit, adding “The support provided to UNICEF is part of China’s pledge to assist humanitarian causes globally.”

66,000 Lebanese and non-Lebanese girls and boys enrolled in Lebanese public schools will receive China-funded school supplies, from Kinder Garten to Grade in addition to 20,000 children enrolled in the Accelerated Learning Programme in 2017.

“UNICEF is very happy that China has joined in the efforts to support education in Lebanon. This is an investment in the future of a generation that will shape the future of this region” said Ms. Chapuisat “on behalf of the tens of thousands of children who are benefiting from this contribution we thank the government and people of China.”

These kits included whiteboard markers and erasers, tape, pencils, pens, sharpeners, erasers, coloring pencils, rulers, plastic folders, exercises books, notebooks, and pencil cases. For children in higher grades, geometric sets and calculators were included as well.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education aims to reach more than 420,000 Lebanese and non-Lebanese children with free education opportunities and school supplies this year.