Jesuit Refugee Service, Lebanon

JRS’ APPROACH TO EDUCATION FOR REFUGEES AND HOST COMMUNITIES

Needs for Intervention

Needs for InterventionNeed / issue Intervention

Limited income and livelihoods opportunities makes costs associated with education a challenge (#1 reason children are not enrolled in formal education)

Decrease costs associated with education, including providing transportation support and back-to-school supplies for students who need them

High food insecurity among refugee families (89% of families food insecure)

School feeding

High levels of trauma and PTSD among children Strong psychosocial support programs to supplement education

Public system unable to serve all the children in need due to sheer scale of need and limited geographic coverage

Nonformal early childhood education for ages 3-5 yearsSupport MEHE in identifying locations for additional ALPs and second shifts.

Difficulty of integrating children lacking basic literacy and numeracy skills, or those having specific needs, into public system

Remedial support, tutoring, and homework assistance for children in public systemLife skills programs for young adults

Discrimination and harassment, tensions between refugees and local communities

Peace education and reconciliation programs

JRS in Lebanon

• ECE in Jbeil and Bourj Hammoud.

• Remedial programs in Jbeil and Bourj Hammoud.

• Homework tutoring in Jbeil and Bourj Hammoud.

• Life Skills and Basic Literacy and Numeracy in Jbeil

and Bourj Hammoud.

JRS Education Programs in Lebanon

• Need for continuous training and assessment of teachers• PSS reduces disruptions caused by behavioral issues• Some children have PSS needs which can not be met by a social worker

alone and require specialized support• School feeding helps improve children’s attention and performance• Hygiene support for issues such as lice and scabies helps improve

student attendance• Many children lack the essential clothing and supplies needed to

attend school• Parent involvement is important for students’ retention in education

programs and for psychosocial counselling• Parents often need encouragement and additional information to

enroll their children in the public system• Homework assistance, tutoring and remedial language classes improve

children’s retention and performance in the public system• Discrimination and mistreatment are serious deterrents for school

attendance

Lessons learned

• Teacher Training: International Office, JRS psychologist and social workers.

• Continuous assessment of the performance of teachers/facilitators through formal procedures.

• Strong link between Education and PSS: presence of social worker, PSS activities for students.

• Mental Health program: specialized support from psychologist and psychiatrists when needed.

• School feeding program, back-to-school kits, and hygiene support.• Involvement of parents: regular parent-teacher meetings,

awareness sessions, and individual meetings between social worker and parents.

• Outreach and awareness sessions on the importance of formal education in public system.

• Focus on integrating children into public system and ensuring their retention through remedial, homework and psychosocial support.

Characteristics of JRS Education Programs

• Faces/Stories.

• Results in ALP placement tests.

• Performance in public schools.

• Reputation: Parents trust JRS and ask for

additional support for their children in public

school.

Evidence on Impact

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Thank you!