School Enrollment Rates Drop To 40% For Girls In Lebanon

School enrollment rates have dropped significantly over the past few years as a result of the crisis, especially for girls in Lebanon, reports UNICEF.

The school enrollment rates of girls have witnessed a worrying 20% drop in the span of a year, decreasing from 60% of girls enrolled in schools in 2020-2021 to 40% in 2022.

Teens, primarily girls, in Lebanon face significant restrictions on their movement and access to public spaces, particularly education.#Hereducation_Ourgrowth @MalalaFund @ifi_aub pic.twitter.com/l50y15PO4o

— Asfari Institute (@AsfariInstitute) February 20, 2023

Many teachers have sounded the alarm on the economic and education crisis that will undoubtedly impact the futures of the Lebanese youth, primarily due to constant closures of public schools and the inaccessibility of education as a result of the freefalling currency.

A 2022 report by the Gender and Adolescence (GAGE) research program highlighted that: “Adolescents (especially girls) – who already experienced restrictions on their movement and limited access to public spaces and peer support even before the crisis – are now even more isolated.”

The alarming drop in school enrollment rates for girls in Lebanon illustrates one of the major limitations imposed by the economic crisis on the futures of Lebanese youth. Despite these staggering numbers, the government has not come forward with a recovery plan to protect children from lost years of schooling and to ensure young children accessibility to a quality education.