The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) signed a memorandum of cooperation with the European Union (EU) to implement the ‘Peaceful and Comprehensive Education in Seven Districts of Lebanon’ project.

The EU granted $950,000 to support seven MoA vocational schools in Nabatieh, Khiam, Batroun, El Abdeh, Baakline, Fanar, and Baalbeck. It will provide educational opportunities for aspiring agricultural technicians. The project has already started and will be executed within two years.

The EU will assist MoA to develop its curricula and enhance skills of teachers. The schools will benefit from rehabilitation. Syrian students also will have access to agricultural vocational training.

Abeer Abul Khoudoud, Project Coordinator and Head of Education and Extension Services at the MoA, said: “The curriculums require developments for the specializations as they have been left for several years without any review.” The curriculums should be linked with the labor market including theoretical and practical classes.

The action will also support farmers, increase the yield from their land and offer consumers better produce. “Teachers will be trained how to educate the students to improve technical skills and increase rural production,” said Abul Khoudoud.

The funding provided by the EU is part of the $433 million allocated by the European Commission, in response to the Syrian crisis in Lebanon. It aims to alleviate the pressures that the crisis is imposing on the country and influx of refugees from Syria.