BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 3. At least 100,000 children in Lebanon could miss the start of the new academic year unless damaged schools are repaired before classes resume in September, according to UNICEF.
A nationwide assessment conducted by Lebanon's Ministry of Education found that 340 public, private and vocational schools were damaged during Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, including 17 schools that were completely destroyed.
The most severely affected areas include Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, Baalbek-Hermel, Beirut and Mount Lebanon, where many educational facilities remain in need of urgent repairs.
UNICEF Representative in Lebanon Marcoluigi Corsi said schools provide far more than education, describing them as places where children can feel safe and recover from the effects of conflict.
The UN agency urged authorities and international partners to invest urgently in reconstruction efforts, warning that another prolonged disruption to education could have lasting consequences for children's learning, mental health and future opportunities.
