Lebanon to shorten school week to four days in public schools

Lebanon's education ministry announced on Tuesday that the upcoming 2025–2026 academic year will see the public school week reduced to four days instead of the usual five.

The decision was made following a meeting chaired by Education Minister Rima Karami with the Director General of Education, Fadi Yarak, to review preparations for the new school year, which begins on 15 September.

Lebanese media reported that no official explanation has yet been given for the abrupt reduction.

Karami said further details would be outlined in upcoming ministerial decisions.

Issues discussed in the meeting included class duration, teachers’ schedules, and finalising staff transfers before the school year begins, according to Lebanese daily Annahar.

For now, the policy applies only to public schools.

Father Youssef Nasr, Secretary-General of Catholic Schools and head of the Private Educational Institutions’ union, said private schools may adopt the four-day week "if deemed appropriate due to specific circumstances", but stressed that they had "the autonomy to reject" the initiative.

Karami also raised the approval of new curricula, the possibility of merging classes, and the reassignment of roles for librarians, supply teachers, and supervisors. She pledged to stand with administrators and staff "to ensure a successful academic year".

The directive comes amid deep challenges in Lebanon’s education sector.

The economic crisis has slashed teachers’ salaries, reduced funding, and fuelled repeated strikes.

Prolonged disruptions caused by Covid-19 and, more recently, Israel’s war on Lebanon in 2024 have further destabilised schooling.

Dozens of schools were destroyed or damaged during Israeli strikes that hit the south, Beirut, and Baalbek-Hermel. Many others were converted into shelters for the displaced. The onslaught forced thousands of teachers and over half a million children from their homes, derailing education nationwide.

Despite a ceasefire in place since last November, often violated by Israel, UNICEF reported in January that one in four Lebanese children remained out of school.