Lebanese schools juggle returning classes while sheltering war-displaced families
Schools in southern Lebanon, such as the one in Froun, are reopening for students even as they continue to house families displaced by recent Israeli attacks.
In the war-torn village of Froun, principal Abbas Makki is getting ready to reopen the local school for the new academic year while it still houses dozens of families displaced by Israeli bombardments that left the town in ruins. The community lacks state-provided water and electricity, forcing many to stay in the school despite the September 15 start date set by officials. UNESCO’s Maysoun Chehab cautioned that dual use of schools will reduce learning space and delay reopening, and Education Minister Rima Karami pledged that displaced occupants will not be removed without new accommodation.
Local entrepreneur Soujoud Ramadan now runs a small market inside the school to serve residents who lost access to nearby shops. The government and NGOs are planning prefabricated houses and classrooms, such as the 17 units slated for Bourj Qalaway, to separate education from shelter and restore normalcy for the region’s children.
Why it matters
The story highlights how ongoing conflict endangers education and humanitarian stability for Lebanon's displaced population.
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