The Metropolitan of Beirut for the Greek Orthodox, Bishop Elias Aoude, expressed regret over the difficult situation that has caused teachers to focus on how to provide a decent living for their families instead of concentrating on their educational mission. In a sermon on Sunday, Aoude stated that teachers, like all Lebanese, are suffering and are not finding a receptive ear among officials, "while today we need teachers more than we need politicians."
He pointed out that the entire educational field is struggling. Parents are unable to bear the burdens of educating their children, teachers cannot secure a livelihood for their own families to dedicate themselves to their profession, and educational institutions are not able to cope with the costs of education, operational expenses, or provide assistance to those in need as they used to, due to the financial, economic, and political collapse. This situation has been exacerbated by the delay in electing a president with a clear vision and reform program that would lead the country, along with its government, towards rescuing the overall situation, including the educational system that was Lebanon's distinct hallmark.
