“Children in Lebanon are experiencing another devastating disruption to their education following the closure of public schools at the beginning of this month,” Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF representative in Lebanon, said in a statement released by the UN agency on Thursday.

“Unless schools reopen without delay, the immediate and long-term impacts on their learning, protection and future prosperity will be insurmountable and hinder prospects for a sustainable recovery from the current economic crisis,” he added.

UNICEF recognizes teachers´ devotion and commitment to their students and understands the negative impact of the economic crisis on their lives.

In this regard, UNICEF praised the Education Ministry´s efforts to guarantee allocation of additional national funds to support teachers, in order to stop the strike and continue with the school year.

UNICEF called on all sides involved in to unite to ensure the return of students to educational centers and not disrupt learning.

“When schools close, early marriages, sexual exploitation and child abuse and labor increase,” UNICEF stressed.

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