Lebanon Education Minister defends public school merger plan

Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education, Rima Karami, has issued a statement defending the decision to merge several struggling public schools and secondary schools. Responding to criticism from certain members of parliament, Karami clarified that the move is not intended to close schools or deprive students of their right to education. Instead, the decision targets a limited number of institutions that have failed to meet regulatory standards, with some hosting fewer than ten students.

The Ministry stated that all affected students will be transferred to nearby public schools to ensure their education continues without interruption. This reform is part of a broader plan to rationalize public spending, reduce waste, and improve the distribution of human and financial resources. The move aligns with requirements from the Ministry of Finance and recommendations from international donors and the World Bank, which have emphasized addressing inefficiencies in the public education sector.

Karami noted that the Ministry had previously suspended the merger last year to allow these schools a one-year grace period to attract more students, but they failed to do so. She expressed regret that a reform aimed at protecting public funds and improving education quality has become a subject of political debate, and she remains open to reviewing cases if objective data contradicts the current decision.