Lebanese Youth
Commitment to Education
Lebanese youth highly value their education, investing their personal and financial resources into their academic journey. Discussions with Lebanese youth accentuate a conviction that education is a passport to opportunities and a foundation for their growth and ambitions. Lebanese youth are not only determined to achieve high academic performance but are also committed to obtaining a quality education, to the extent that their resources allow.Their pursuit of quality education is evident in their enrolment at universities known for their reputable academic programs that include internships or on-the-job trainings, a strong academic faculty comprising experienced teachers as well as experts in their fields, and a focus on innovation and pragmatism aligned with job market demands. While many youths choose academic majors based on their interests and passions; employment remains the ultimate goal of their academic journey. “I chose business because I like it and it is a broad topic; I can work in different sectors. I don’t want to specialize in something that I would regret later because of low employment opportunities”
The academic journey of many youths often extends beyond a bachelor’s degree. Numerous Lebanese youth aim for a master’s education to improve their employment prospects or seek short academic programs that complement their bachelor’s degree, enhancing its relevance to job market demands. While many students intend to pursue their master’s education in Lebanon, some aim for universities abroad to maximize the benefits of their specializations and advanced education. Also, short academic programs are often pursued online due to convenience and affordability, as well as the access that online programs provide to reputable international universities. Unfortunately for their homeland, for some Lebanese youth, higher education becomes as a gateway to prolonged stays outside the country and seizing employment opportunities as they arise.
“I am about to finish my business education and am planning to pursue an MA in social psychology. In parallel, I work as an event planner and have developed good skills in this field… I think exposure to different majors and skills will boost my chances in the employment sector. At the same time, I will have basic work experience that meets the requirements that many employers in Lebanon ask of fresh graduates- an unreasonable requirement”
In Lebanon, quality education is commonly associated with private universities, despite the financial burden they impose on youth. While the state-owned Lebanese University has been known for its quality education and affordability, it has been significantly impacted by the economic crisis. This crisis has disrupted normal classroom operations and shortened program timeline, tarnishing the university’s reputation and creating uncertainty among students.
Lebanese youth perceive a decline in the public education sector, evident on various fronts: underpaid academic staff, the resignation and/or emigration of numerous teachers seeking better opportunities, and educational institutions struggling to cover operational costs. Additionally, corruption, manifested in favoritism and nepotism at public educational institutions, often overrides qualifications, driving away merited students. Consequently, many students opt for private universities in Lebanon which financially strains them and often forces them into the job market earlier than planned to pay their tuition. Other Lebanese youth seek education at public universities abroad, which are more affordable than private universities in Lebanon. This prompted one Lebanese youth studying abroad to express:
“I wasn’t planning on leaving the country, I started at the Lebanese University, and I experienced an environment where favoritism prevailed; so I instantly decided to leave and study abroad”
While private educational institutions have responded by increasing tuition fees, public educational institutions continue to grapple with the repercussions. The rising costs of private education have compounded the public sector’s challenges, as demand for public education has surged. Due to the increasing tuition fees of private institutions, coupled with the prevailing weak economy and depreciating salaries, many households have been forced to withdraw their children from private education and opt for public schools and universities.
Adding to the education challenges, the government’s weak performance has left the national curriculum outdated, and exacerbated the growing gap between the private and public sectors, as well as between education and employment requirements. Lebanese youth advocate for urgent measures to recover and develop public education, calling for an urgent increase in government budget allocation towards the education sector. They believe that a restructured and modernized education system that prioritizes quality would not only motivate youth to stay in their country but also empower them with skills to build the future they aspire to and contribute to their country’s growth. In youths’ perspective, educational reforms should focus on meeting academic faculty needs, ensure resource availability for smooth academic year operations, and enhancing the curriculum to ensure compatibility with the private sector advancements as well as employment and job market demands, keeping in mind global developments and events.