In the village of Froun, southern Lebanon, Abbas Makki, the principal of a local school, is preparing for a school year unlike any other. His school, like many others, has become a shelter for displaced families, adding a layer of complexity to the return of students. The village, scarred by rubble from Israeli air strikes, lacks basic utilities, making the return to normalcy a daunting task.
The conflict in Lebanon, which intensified in March, has forced over one million people from their homes, primarily in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs. As the school year approaches, the Lebanese government aims to restore water and electricity to affected areas by September 15, but the path to recovery is fraught with difficulties.
Displacement and the Struggle to Return Home
Since the framework agreement in late June, many displaced families have returned home or found alternative accommodations. However, recent Israeli attacks have driven some back to schools, which now serve as temporary shelters. On September 2, Lebanon’s Education Minister Rima Karami assured that every student would have access to schools for the 2026-27 academic year, emphasizing in-person classes wherever possible.
In Froun, Abbas Makki is committed to balancing the needs of displaced families and students. “We will reopen the school [for students], but will not abandon the displaced people,” he said. The school plans to provide prefabricated houses for the displaced, allowing students to return to their classrooms. “The important thing is that we will not mistreat the people nor will we stop classes,” Makki emphasized.
Infrastructure Damage and Educational Challenges
The conflict has left a significant mark on Lebanon’s educational infrastructure. More than 340 schools have been damaged, and 454 have been affected by conflict or displacement-related disruption. Maysoun Chehab, a senior education programme specialist at UNESCO, highlighted the challenges: “A school cannot function simultaneously as a proper shelter and a normal learning environment.”
Chehab stressed the need for dignified and safe alternative accommodation for displaced families to ensure that schools can reopen effectively. “The immediate challenge is to rehabilitate schools and replace lost equipment, but the deeper challenge is to prevent a generation from paying the price of the conflict,” she said. Students in Lebanon have faced disruptions for the past seven years, creating a lost generation of learners.
Recent Escalations and Humanitarian Impact
Recent Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. On September 7, Israeli forces targeted a residential building and a car in the Nabatieh region’s Kfar Reman, killing 12 people, including two children. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, 4,381 people have been killed since March 2. The fragile ceasefire, brokered by the US in late June, has failed to bring lasting peace.
The attacks have drawn condemnation from local residents and officials. The mayor of Kfar Reman described the incident as a “massacre,” highlighting the ongoing violence despite diplomatic efforts. The Lebanese government has called for the deployment of the Lebanese Army to disarm Hezbollah and restore stability, but tensions remain high.
As Lebanon grapples with the aftermath of the conflict, the reopening of schools represents a crucial step towards normalcy. However, the challenges are immense, and the path to recovery will require sustained effort and international support.
