Beirut: At least 100,000 children in Lebanon are at risk of being left without a classroom for the upcoming school year unless urgent measures are taken to repair and restore schools damaged by recent conflict. This warning comes as the country faces a pressing deadline to address the educational crisis before September, when the academic year is set to begin. According to National News Agency - Lebanon, a comprehensive nationwide assessment conducted by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in June uncovered the severe impact of the recent conflict on Lebanon's education system. The assessment revealed that 340 schools-public, private, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)-have been damaged, with 17 schools completely destroyed. The assessment was developed with technical support from UNICEF through the Transition and Resilience Education Fund (TREF), which is supported by the European Union, Germany, France, and Switzerland. The damage is widespread across several governorate s severely affected by the conflict, including Nabatiyeh, South Lebanon, Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, Beirut, and Mount Lebanon. While some schools suffered minor damage, many require extensive rehabilitation or complete reconstruction before students and teachers can safely return. UNICEF Representative in Lebanon Marcoluigi Corsi emphasized the importance of schools, stating, "Schools are far more than buildings. They are places where children learn, feel safe, and begin to recover from crisis. This assessment provides the first comprehensive picture of the scale of damage to Lebanon's education system. With the new school year approaching, urgent investment is needed to rehabilitate damaged schools and ensure children can return to learning without delay." Lebanon has faced years of repeated educational disruptions due to overlapping crises and conflict. For many children, another prolonged interruption to learning could have lasting consequences on their education, wellbeing, mental health, and future opportu nities. The lack of access to education also increases their vulnerability to risks such as early marriage and child labor. Corsi further stressed, "Every day a child remains out of school, the risk of learning loss and dropping out increases. Education cannot wait for recovery to begin; it is an essential part of recovery. Rehabilitating schools goes beyond repairing walls and classrooms, it restores hope and provides protection, giving every child the chance to learn and build their future." UNICEF is actively working with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, donors, and partners to support school rehabilitation, learning continuity, and education recovery across Lebanon. While TREF donors have been significant supporters of the education sector for years, the current scale of destruction necessitates a substantial increase in investment to restore safe learning environments before the next academic year commences. UNICEF's mission in Lebanon, which has been ongoing for over 70 years, aims to reach the most disadvantaged children and provide them with the opportunity to learn in a safe, protective, and inclusive environment. Investing in education recovery is crucial for the future of Lebanon's children, its communities, and the country as a whole.