Education Development Programme in Lebanese Catholic Schools

Access to quality education and the stability of local communities are inseparable in today’s Lebanon. The prolonged economic crisis, deteriorating infrastructure and severe underfunding of public institutions have made quality education increasingly inaccessible for young people—especially in regions where even basic needs are difficult for families to secure. In this context, initiatives that provide long-term knowledge, practical skills and a realistic vision for the future have become critically important. The General Secretariat of Catholic Schools in Lebanon (SGEC-L) launched a comprehensive programme to address these needs and requested the support of the Hungary Helps Agency for its implementation. The project aims to create modern learning environments that develop creative and technical competencies in Lebanese Catholic schools. This includes the introduction of new educational and technological methods, the establishment of dedicated classrooms, and the integration of innovative tools such as the Makers Red Box. The programme directly reaches approximately 3,000 middle and high school students and 100 teachers, enabling them to acquire hands-on skills essential for the 21st-century labour market and for everyday life. In the current state of Lebanon’s education system, these new learning approaches can represent a genuine turning point. Beyond establishing classrooms and providing equipment, the project promotes a new educational mindset—one that encourages students to explore, create and experiment. The impact of the programme extends far beyond the school environment. Teachers and students can transfer the knowledge they gain to their own communities, strengthening social stability and contributing to long-term regional development. The initiative offers Lebanese youth not only the means to cope with ongoing crises, but the opportunity to actively shape their own future. By investing in education, the programme creates more than modern classrooms: it provides hope, perspective and new opportunities in a country where these are greatly needed.