MP Akram Chehayeb of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) stressed on Monday, August 21, that caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is keen on salvaging the upcoming school year. This matter, he said, is to be followed up closely with the Minister of Education as well as all other stakeholders, notably concerning the financial aspect.
Speaking after a meeting with Mikati, Chehayeb said, “the purpose of the visit is to salvage the academic year, protect the rights of educational institutions and further safeguard public education and state schools in Lebanon.”
“The focus (of the talks) was on how to disburse the amount of 5,000 billion Lebanese pounds earmarked for education and approved in the last Cabinet session as a first installment,” Chehayeb said.
“It is necessary for this sum to be paid to schools and teachers on a regular basis, especially considering that teachers are determined not to return to public schools, let alone to teaching, unless their rights are fully obtained,” he added.
Chehayeb emphasized that “the problem does not lie in teaching, the Ministry of Education or the teachers but in the (lack of) funding.”
