“Education from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Lebanon: Challenges and Opportunities”

Under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Dr. Rima Karami, Minister of Education and Higher Education, Al-Ahliyya School, in collaboration with the Department of Education at the American University of Beirut (AUB), organized the Education Forum entitled “Education from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Lebanon: Challenges and Opportunities”, held on January 23 and 24, 2026, at the Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and Clinical Center – AUB Medical Center.

The forum was attended by Mr. Omar bin Abdulaziz Al-Naama, Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of the State of Qatar, representing H.E. Ms. Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al-Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education, as well as H.E. Dr. Kamal Shehadeh, Minister of the Displaced and Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

The forum forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national educational dialogue on the current state of education in Lebanon, the challenges it faces, and opportunities for development, particularly across the K–12 education cycle. It brought together representatives from public and private schools, universities, researchers, policymakers, and educational leaders.

Key themes addressed during the forum included educational governance, school leadership, and sustainable professional development, in addition to showcasing successful educational practices that maintained quality learning amid ongoing crises. The discussions highlighted the importance of supporting teachers and empowering learners as active partners in the educational process.

In her address, H.E. Dr. Rima Karami emphasized that today’s educational challenges require a comprehensive approach that goes beyond technical solutions, grounded in clear vision, accountability, and improved governance. She also underscored the importance of effective public–private partnerships within the framework of Education Vision 2030.

The forum also featured the honoring of Dr. Nadim Kortas, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Al-Ahliyya School and Honorary Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at AUB, in recognition of his educational and national contributions and his role in promoting a culture of sound governance and institutional leadership.