THE EDGE IN LEBANON
Syrian children in the informal refugee settlements of Bekaa Valley struggle to access education and support
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Nine years into the Syrian crisis, neighbouring Lebanon remains the country with the largest number of refugees per capita. The Lebanese government estimates that they host 1.5 million Syrian refugees, with around a third located in the Bekaa Valley, often living in small makeshift or unofficial camps.
Despite these numbers, the last few years have seen a decrease in funding for refugees and a controversial policy by the country’s General Security to push refugees to return to Syria. An estimated 180,000 Syrian children are having to work to support their families rather than attend school and fewer than half of the 631,000 school-age refugee children in Lebanon have access to quality formal education. Those who can access the mainstream system are often subject to discrimination, abuse, language barriers and unsafe journeys to and from school. All of these factors, faced by refugee children who are also coming to terms with their own trauma and distress, are continuing to create barriers to education. Consequently there is a need for provision of informal education for children living within the camps. |
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MORE ABOUT THE EDGE IN LEBANON
WHAT WE ARE DOING TO HELP
We support education for nearly 300 children, with a bespoke curriculum and trained refugee teachers.
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Over the past four years Children on the Edge have been working in partnership with Lebanese NGO - Triumphant Mercy, within the refugee communities in Bekaa Valley. Together we are providing quality, child friendly education for Syrian refugee children who are unable to access government or UN school provision. Since 2014, through four tent schools and a Community Centre in Beirut, we supported education for hundreds of children aged 6 -12. From January 2019 the tent schools have been brought together in one central building in Zahle. Nearly 300 children, together with trained refugee teachers are bussed in from the camps to learn together in a safe, fun environment with lots of space to play outside. |
Where other projects of this kind bring in teachers from the outside, this model trains teachers from within the Syrian refugee community.
The children are following a Syrian and Lebanese, child friendly curriculum in their own dialect. Staff use Montessori techniques to help children re-engage with Arabic, maths, science, history, geography and English. Many of these children have experienced trauma in Syria, and a child friendly environment each day is helping them to feel secure, process what they have been through, and tap into their natural resilience. |
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“School is like their second home. When I give the students time to draw, they draw houses and gardens. It has changed from when they used to draw war, and I see by what they draw now that school makes them feel safer. They like to be here”. |
LATEST STORIES
Brand new school in ZahleHundreds of Syrian children move from canvas classrooms to a brand new school where they can play and learn with friends. .
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Three years of education progressThree year evaluation of tent schools shows progress in academic work, confidence, enjoyment and hope.
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Storm Norma responseChildren on the Edge supporters rally round to ensure blankets, clothes and rebuilding for storm hit refugees.
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