The Syrian Refugee Crises in Lebanon

Since 2011, Syria has been embroiled in a violent and deadly civil war. As a result of this conflict, over ten million Syrians have been displaced, and over one million wounded or killed. The children have been uniquely impacted by this violence as they have been wounded or killed by traumatizing violence, separated from their families, and prevented from receiving a proper education. I traveled to Lebanon, a country that has accepted a large number of Syrian refugees, in order to gather more information about how the Syrian crisis has impacted school-aged children, particularly regarding the effect of the war on their education. Lebanon’s Ministry of Education, in collaboration with several NGOs and foreign donors, has made significant changes to the educational system in order to accommodate the large influx of Syrian children. Given the complex needs of these refugees, the Ministry’s efforts are constantly evolving. While in Lebanon, I conducted interviews with four individuals who all have an intimate understanding of the current educational initiatives within the country, but are working towards advancement in different capacities. I interviewed an employee of the Ministry of Education, an employee of an NGO operating in Lebanon, a school director at a public school in Lebanon, and a professor at a Lebanon university who researches educational policy. These interviews, transcribed below, gave me a unique insight into the immense efforts underway to provide Syrian refugees with a formal education and the complex problems that come with these goals.