MoE takes part in the UNESCO Conference and presents it reform plan and strategy for girls ‘schooling

The General Director of the Ministry of Higher Education (MoE), Fady Yarak, pointed out to the growing setback in the enrolment of girls in sciences at the University level, versus an increase in the enrolment of girls in law, economics and administration.  Yarak, who was speaking to the 37th UNESCO Conference convened in Paris, highlighted the fact that limited opportunities for decent work were the key reason for the marginalization of girls in the Arab region especially in relation to their career opportunities.
Yara’s speech included a presentation of the Ministry’s plan for reform and for supporting girls’ education, and took place in a round table discussion organised during the conference on strengthening education for women and girls for gender equality.  Yarak spoke of the realities in Lebanon with emphasis on the initiatives of his Ministry which is closely working in collaboration with UNESCO and the various challenges it faces.  He added that the Ministry is striving to develop new curricula which will emphasize gender equality, sustainable development and citizenship.  Yarak also spoke of vocational training and education, and of the awareness raising campaign currently in preparation, and which targets families and especially girls in school age while seeking to raise awareness on various existing work opportunities and options in vocational training.
Finally, Yarak described the current situation of public schools in Lebanon, within the context of the Syrian crisis, pointing to the difficulties in absorbing the increasing numbers of refugee children especially girls.  He concluded by hoping that the crisis will soon be overcome, so that the Ministry will have the conditions necessary to reform and to improve education particularly in what concerns girls education.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar 12 November 2013