Education initiative backed by UNICEF

Half a billion dollar for needy
Lebanese and Syrian children

UNICEF, the Lebanese government, donors and other partners announced yesterday an initiative aimed at putting hundreds of thousands of children, who have dropped out of school, back in the classroom or in informal learning settings.

The initiative calls for improved infrastructure and equipment in public schools. It also aims to increase the number of trained teachers necessary to meet the needs of Syrian refugee children now in Lebanon, as well as children from the mainly poor communities that are hosting them.

The initiative will provide 435,000 vulnerable school-aged children with improved learning opportunities, at a cost of $532 million over a period of three years.

The initiative is in response to the ever-increasing challenges that face children affected by the Syrian conflict. It is a key part of the ‘No Lost Generation’ campaign launched by UNICEF and partners, earlier this month.

UNICEF estimates there are around three million Syrian children who have dropped out of school or are not receiving education on a regular basis.