Sidon: Education Minister Dr. Rima Karami began her southern tour on Wednesday with a visit to Acting South and Nabatieh Governor Mansour Daou at the Sidon Government Serail, leading a ministry delegation that included Director of Primary Education George Daoud, Guidance and Counseling Director Dr. Hilda Khoury, administrative adviser Amal Shaaban, media officials Albert Chamoun and Maha Daher, and her office director Maya Maddah.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the meeting was attended by MP Dr. Michel Moussa, Future Movement Vice President and Hariri Foundation President Bahia Hariri, head of the regional education office Ahmad Saleh, and regional examinations official Dib Fattouni. Following the meeting, Karami expressed gratitude to the South Governorate and local officials for their warm reception, emphasizing Sidon's historical significance and its welcoming nature towards those in need during the current crisis.
Karami explained that her visit coincided with the start of the academic year and the ministry's call for teaching staff to report to duty. She underscored the unique challenges faced by the South and Nabatieh regions, commending local resilience and cooperation. The tour aimed to address concerns and outline the ministry's preparations for the academic year.
The delegation planned to visit several schools being used as temporary shelters to assess conditions and strategize on maintaining safe accommodations while ensuring students in southern Lebanon continue to access education. Karami highlighted that flexibility was key to addressing the needs of displaced individuals sheltering in schools. In coordination with Governor Daou, some schools would resume full in-person instruction after displaced families were relocated, while others would share facilities between educational and shelter needs. A few schools might temporarily adopt distance learning until suitable teaching environments were available.
Karami, along with Daou and Saleh, later visited the regional education office to meet staff and review operations. She praised employees for their dedication under challenging circumstances, acknowledging the education sector's commitment in the South and Nabatieh to sustain educational services despite the ongoing crisis.
Source: National News Agency - Lebanon