Karami defends school consolidation plan
Education and Higher Education Minister Dr. Rima Karami said the ministry’s school consolidation plan is aimed at improving education quality, reducing waste and using human resources more efficiently, particularly in rural areas.
Speaking at a press conference, Karami rejected claims that the plan targets particular regions or communities or seeks to weaken public education. She said decisions are based on multiple criteria, including student numbers, available staff, nearby alternatives, distance, geographic and security conditions, language of instruction and the needs of inclusive schools.
Karami said some schools have extremely low enrollment, with classes of only a few students and costs per student reaching $6,000-$8,000 compared with less than $1,000 elsewhere.
She stressed that any decision could be reviewed if evidence showed it was not in students’ best interests.
Karami said the objective is to move from more schools to better schools, with qualified teachers, effective administration, laboratories, libraries, technology, activities and support services.
She added that consolidation forms part of a broader strategy to rebuild public education, address learning loss, modernize governance and strengthen partnerships with municipalities, parents and civil society.
