Lebanese Ministry of Education announces closure of public schools, advises private institutions to avoid in-person classes this week

The Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education issued a statement regarding the status of educational institutions amid ongoing security concerns.

The ministry confirmed that all public schools, secondary schools, and vocational institutes will remain closed this week to continue accommodating citizens displaced from areas affected by danger, threats, and destruction. The minister thanked school administrations for their swift response in opening their doors to families in need.

To ensure continuity of learning, the ministry is preparing an exceptional remote education program in collaboration with the Center for Educational Research and Development. This program will be available via the official educational platform starting next Monday.

Given the precarious security situation and ongoing Israeli aggression, the ministry urged private educational institutions to avoid in-person classes until the end of the week. Further guidance on next week’s educational arrangements will be issued in subsequent ministry statements.

Following consultations with the Association of Lebanese Universities and the president of the Lebanese University, it was agreed that in-person classes will continue where feasible. However, universities and their branches, including those in high-risk areas or buildings repurposed as shelters, may switch partially or fully to remote or hybrid learning until conditions stabilize and official instructions are released for a safe return to normal teaching.