Policy paper

Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Lebanon

Published 23 July 2018

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Form for submitting commitments for the Global Disability Summit 2018

Your organisation:

Type of organisation: National Government

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Name of organisation Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Lebanon

Charter for Change

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Your organisation’s commitments to achieve the rights of people with disabilities in developing countries:

Commitments to eliminate Stigma and Discrimination

Please select the category which your commitment most relates to: Policy, legislation and its implementation

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The Lebanese Government represented by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education commits to working on a national strategy that supports inclusive education for all students with disabilities and learning difficulties in a safe and accepting environment by enhancing institutionalization and collaboration between Ministries and governmental institutions.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit)

The Child Protection policy was signed and a pilot project testing the referral system is being implemented. A curriculum for psychosocial support activities will be finalised and implemented in schools. The gender committee established at MEHE pledges to work on reducing and eliminating gender related issues. A National committee including representatives from relevant ministries and governmental institutions has been formed and is working on developing a national strategy promoting inclusive education.

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Commitments for Inclusive Education

Please select the category which your commitment most relates to: Inclusive education sector plans (governments only)

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National scale up of inclusive education within Lebanon’s 2030 strategy and effective implementation through Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE)’s annual operational plan, informed by evidence from the inclusive education pilot

Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit)

MEHE’s annual operational plan, with the financial support of donors, will integrate inclusion starting from 2018 By 2020, the inclusive education pilot will increase the enrolment of children with disabilities in the pilot schools, equip teachers and other education personnel with the essential skills to foster inclusive education and increase the awareness of families, caregivers, and community leaders about inclusive education rights, opportunities, and the importance of school-family collaboration. A national inclusive education policy will be drafted based on evidence from pilot

Please select the category which your commitment most relates to: Policy, standards and regulations

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Accessibility will be promoted in MEHE’s investments in school construction, rehabilitation and equipment based on MEHE building standards based on the “Guidelines and Standards Organizing the Construction of Public Schools”

Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit)

• All newly built schools will be made accessible based on MEHE building standards 
• In collaboration with non-governmental organisations, public schools will be rehabilitated to make them accessible

Please select the category which your commitment most relates to: Inclusive education sector plans (governments only)

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Design of a new flexible curriculum that promotes differentiation and inclusive learning for all children

Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit)

A curriculum revision process is underway as of 2018 and will be designed to ensure inclusion

Commitments for Economic Empowerment

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Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit)

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Commitments for Technology and Innovation

Commitments for Data Disaggregation

Please select the category which your commitment most relates to: Other

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The School Information Management system will be employed for systematic tracking of students with disabilities Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit)

MEHE has deployed a new School Information Management System (SIMS). This programme will strengthen the evaluation and monitoring of performance indicators, including information on children with disabilities, to improve equity of access to quality education

Please select the category which your commitment most relates to: Additional resources

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MEHE is integrating technology in education to improve teaching and learning environments for all students especially those with disabilities.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit) Building capacity of educational coaches and teachers and equipping classrooms with the needed technological tools and equipment, to promote interactive teaching methods

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Commitments for Women and Girls with Disabilities

Please enter the exact wording of the commitment/s, including details of others who have supported its development (75 words limit): Gender based violence (GBV) will be reduced and eventually eliminated for all women including those with disability. Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit) A gender committee has been formed and is coordinating with other organisations to end gender based violence. The curriculum will be amended in such a way as to remove gender bias from pictures and texts in school books. Please copy and paste this box for additional commitments under this theme.

Commitments for people with disabilities in Humanitarian Contexts

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Schools will ensure a safe and friendly environment for Lebanese and non- Lebanese students including Syrian refugees.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit)

An afternoon shift has been open in public schools and a non-formal education (NFE) regularization framework was formed to guide and coordinate the different NFE programs and to support vulnerable children back into formal education. This allows all non-Lebanese students to enrol in school irrespective of their gender, socioeconomic status, physiological, mental, or physical conditions. The Child Protection, PSS, health, and inclusion projects are being implemented in afternoon shift schools.

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