15 June 2026 – The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), in partnership with France and UNICEF, inaugurated today the newly constructed Kfarzabad Secondary School in the Bekaa, marking an important milestone in expanding access to quality, inclusive and uninterrupted education for children and young people in Lebanon.
Constructed by UNICEF with the generous support of France over a period of approximately two and a half years, the school provides a modern, safe and sustainable learning environment for students. The facility includes classrooms alongside a range of dedicated pedagogical spaces, including laboratories, workshops, art and music rooms, a library, a multipurpose hall, and a playground, in addition to administrative offices and service buildings. The campus is further complemented by landscaped outdoor areas, sports and recreational grounds, and parking facilities.
Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Rima Karami said: “Standing here today, in circumstances we all know too well, to inaugurate a new public secondary school is in itself a statement. It is a statement that the state is still capable of building, that public education is worth investing in, and that our children deserve our continued commitment, whatever the circumstances. At the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, we are working today with a clear vision for the education sector. Our first and foremost goal is to ensure quality and equitable education for every child in Lebanon, without exception and without discrimination”.
At a time when Lebanon’s education system continues to face significant challenges, including repeated disruptions to learning due to overlapping crises and conflict, investments in public school infrastructure remain essential. Safe, resilient and inclusive schools not only support continuity of learning but also provide children and adolescents with stability, protection and opportunities to build their future. Expanding and improving school facilities is critical to supporting continuity of learning, strengthening resilience, and ensuring that no child is left behind.
“My presence here today reflects the enduring commitment of France to stand alongside Lebanon,” said Herve Magro, Ambassador of France to Lebanon. “In times of progress as well as in periods of hardship, France remains fully mobilized, deploying the full range of its diplomatic, political, humanitarian and development instruments to support the Lebanese people and strengthen national institutions”.
“The inauguration of Kfarzabad Secondary School is an important investment in Lebanon’s public education system and in the future of its children and adolescents,” said Marcoluigi Corsi, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon. “At a time when many students have experienced repeated disruptions to their learning, expanding access to safe, inclusive and quality education remains essential. We are grateful to France for its longstanding partnership and commitment to education in Lebanon. This investment will help provide children and adolescents with a safe and supportive learning environment where they can learn and thrive. UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and partners to ensure uninterrupted, quality education for every child in Lebanon.”
The school has been designed in line with sustainable and resilient building principles, integrating environmentally friendly systems that improve resource efficiency and reduce operational costs. These include a solar hot water system, a rainwater harvesting system, a sewage treatment plant for irrigation purposes, and a reverse osmosis water treatment system. Enhanced thermal insulation and the use of low-emission materials contribute to improved comfort and healthier indoor environments for students and teachers.
To further strengthen energy resilience, the school is equipped with a 34 kWp solar photovoltaic system, supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), reducing dependence on the national electricity grid and ensuring continuity of learning. The facility is also fully accessible to children with disabilities, with ramps, an elevator and adapted sanitation facilities, promoting inclusive education for all.
Building on this commitment, AFD has also supported the procurement and installation of school furniture, ensuring that all learning spaces are fully equipped and ready for use. With the completion of furniture installation and solarization works, the school is now fully operational and well positioned to provide a conducive and resilient learning environment for students and teachers for years to come.
About UNICEF
Working in Lebanon for over 70 years, UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone
For more information about UNICEF Lebanon and our work for children, visit www.unicef.org/lebanon/ or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube