The war ongoing in the South has entered its fifth month, leading to further escalation on the battlefield, especially after Israeli strikes reached the southern suburbs of Beirut and various villages in the Chouf district, including the recent targeting of the Al-Ghazieh area in Sidon on Monday night. The deterioration of the situation has negatively impacted school students in the South, particularly those awaiting official exams, leaving their fate uncertain. Students have been deprived of normal education, or are receiving fragmented online learning due to the closure of most schools and institutions, especially in the Blue Line villages. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education remains committed to conducting the official exams overall, albeit with some adjustments. This was clarified by Minister of Education Abbas Halabi in an interview with "Nidaa al-Watan," stating: "I will not cancel the official exams, and we will seek a special solution for southern students in the upcoming weeks."
He reassured, saying: "The concerns of southern students about their academic year are valid. Since the onset of events in the South due to repeated Israeli attacks, our main concern has been the continuation of the educational process, which requires ongoing oversight from the ministry and responsiveness from teachers, parents, and students. That is why we opened 10 response centers in safe areas, as many families have been forced to flee from their villages, and we also opened 10 vocational training centers in safer areas in the South."
He continued: "A significant number of students have enrolled in these temporary centers, and we have allowed students the freedom to choose the school closest to their temporary residence. However, some students opted to remain in their villages, as is the case with students from the border town of Rmeish, where we allowed 1,500 students to learn remotely."
Halabi added: "To ensure the success of this initiative, we have contacted various officials and donor organizations to secure electricity, infrastructure, telecommunications, and internet services, and we have procured some needs. We distributed 3,200 computers to teachers and provided 3,000 tablets to students, along with intensive training for teachers (on online education) in coordination with the Educational Center for Research and Development and the regional office of UNESCO."
Regarding communication and internet weaknesses in the South, Halabi revealed that he had contacted Communications Minister Johnny Karam, and special internet packages for southern students will soon be provided through the Alfa and Touch mobile companies.
In response to a question about the future of official certificates for southern students, Halabi said: "We will take into account the psychological pressure and fear experienced by southern students, teachers, and parents who are living under conditions that do not allow for normal handling. Therefore, we are seriously considering the issue to treat them exceptionally so that we do not deprive them of exams or subject them to ordinary exams like other areas."
He continued: "It is likely that an exceptional exam cycle will be held for southern students for the secondary certificate in all its branches." Regarding the possibility of canceling or reducing some subjects, he briefly replied: "The Educational Center is studying all possibilities in cooperation with the General Directorate of Education, taking into account the curricula." Halabi did not dismiss the possibility of canceling the intermediate certificate this year, but he insisted that the secondary and vocational certificates are essential for students, stating: "We cannot avoid conducting them, as they are fundamental for students transitioning from secondary to higher education."
### Ashqar: Optional Subjects for Southern High School Students
On his part, the General Director of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Imad Ashqar, announced to "Nidaa al-Watan" that the topic of official exams is being studied within the ministry's administration, under the guidance of Minister Abbas Halabi. He explained the division from the perspective of the Ministry of Education: the ninth-grade certificate (i.e., intermediate certificate) is separate from other official certificates, and there is a possibility that the Brevet certificate will not be held if replaced by another subject. In this regard, we should not preempt any announcements that will soon come from the Ministry of Education. As for the secondary certificate, it is definitely confirmed without any reduction of subjects.
He added: "Regarding the general direction, there is no intention at the ministry to allow high school students the freedom to choose some optional subjects as was done in one of the past years. However, for southern students, there is special attention. For example, the ministry can reduce the number of required chapters for certain subjects, as happened during the Nahr al-Bared camp war or during the Abra events, and this is not something new for the Ministry of Education."
He continued: "Today, the important thing is to reach the end of the academic year with minimal damage, and we will work diligently in coordination with all relevant parties to ensure better conditions for remote learning for southern students in response centers," affirmatively stating: "The Ministry of Education will not treat them like other students in Lebanon."
In response to a question, he stated: "There may be optional subjects for the secondary certificate exclusively for southern students, and next week we will discuss the future of the intermediate certificate and all related matters." He concluded: "Southern students will have special exams."
### Father Nassar:
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of Catholic Schools, Father Yousef Nassar, announced that education in southern schools is online, especially in private institutions, as schools are unable to open their doors due to the extraordinary security situation. However, these conditions significantly affect students and their ability to keep up with their classes, putting them in an abnormal state that requires dialogue sessions to discuss the best ways to support these students, especially since we are already halfway through the academic year.
He added: "We must discuss practical solutions for students taking official exams very thoughtfully, as the health of our families, students, and teachers is a priority."
In response to "Nidaa al-Watan" regarding recommendations from private schools to the Ministry of Education concerning students taking official examinations, he replied: "There will be exceptional measures for these students, and we are awaiting final decisions from the ministry."
He concluded: "A special strategy must be developed for southern students to ensure they are not deprived of their certificates."
