UNICEF helps children catch up on their lost-learning through summer school classes

As part of Lebanon’s National Learning Recovery Initiative, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in partnership with the European Union and Germany through the German Development Bank KfW, have launched the summer school, a programme aimed to help students catch up on lost-learning and prepare them for the upcoming school year.

The Summer School is open to every child in Lebanon enrolled in formal education in Public and Private schools, Grades 1 to 8. The programme has an overall focus on building foundational literacy skills in Arabic, English or French, numeracy, and social and emotional learning through play-based extracurricular activities. Financial aid to support teachers and student’s transportation will be also included to maximize attendance.

Last summer, 53,000 children continued their learning in 330 public schools all over Lebanon. In the summer of 2022, 540 public schools will open their doors starting August for six weeks for up to 98,000 children to make up for lost learning.

“This programme will provide a strong foundation for children enrolled in formal education to take advantage of the catch-up support and be ready to master the curriculum in the new school year,” said Atif Rafique UNICEF Lebanon’s Chief of Education. “Our programme targets those who need it the most - children with disabilities who were not getting any support outside school, and children who were struggling academically in the last school year - as they are likely at-risk of dropping out.”

“This special summer programme has helped make up for remote learning in previous years”, says 14-year-old Hussein. “We have stayed at home too long. Being here will help us start the new academic year stronger by improving our skills.”

“Being in the summer school has been very beneficial and is allowing us to build our skills as well as participate in fun activities with my friends. Our teachers refreshed our memories with lessons we’d forgotten,” says thirteen-year-old Maryam, a student at Omar Hamad Public School.

“The summer classes will help me start the academic year well prepared,” Maryam adds. “We participate more actively in lessons when they’re face to face and we are eager to go to school every day to learn more,” she smiles.