Chapter 2: Educating Young Adolescents in Lebanon

This chapter focuses on the contemporary state of educating young adolescents in Lebanon after 1997, when the new structure and organization of all school curricula was introduced. Previews of the major factors that influence further development of education are presented along with the chief impediments including political violence, instability, migration, a dearth of research, and inequity. In spite of these factors, there are many signs of hope residing in the recent political settlement signed by all parties. There is a wide spread belief among most Lebanese that education is the way to promote positive change among youth. It is also believed to be a vehicle for young adolescents to succeed and learn to live together in peace. Lebanon does not lack the human capital to develop its middle-school education, but it is in need of making education a priority. While private schools have always played an important role in educating young adolescents in Lebanon, it is now time for public schools to catch up to the educational outcomes of the private schools.