Remedial classes strengthen public education in Lebanon
By Gladys Terichow
September 19, 2007
WINNIPEG, Man. -- Most students attending public schools in Lebanon do not have the opportunity to improve their grades through private tutors or remedial classes.
This year, in partnership with MCC, nine public schools in south Lebanon offered weekly remedial lessons for students in Grade 7, 8 and 9 in mathematics, science and foreign language during the three final months of the school year.
“School principals were delighted with the results,” said MCC representative, Ken Seitz.
“We see this as a small step forward but many people in Lebanon see this as a tremendous step forward.”
Classes were taught in an informal setting that did not require students or teachers to maintain school regulations such as wearing uniforms, assigning homework or testing students.
“This relaxed atmosphere changed the dynamics between teachers and students,” said Seitz. “Teachers had the freedom to teach and review materials according to the needs of the students—they were teaching children, not subjects.”
One of the goals of this project is to reduce the school drop-out rate in public schools through helping students achieve better grades and improving the image of public schools.
“We see this as an investment to improve public education,” said Seitz , noting both he and his wife Kathryn have worked in the education system in the United States and are strong advocates of affordable education for everyone.
But this project, he explained, also supports MCC’s peacebuilding goals. “Education doesn’t necessarily mean peace but it is a vital part of understanding peace and conflict resolution,” he said.
Staying in school, he added, also supports peacemaking through providing students with more opportunities for meaningful employment and providing the country with more skilled workers.
MCC Lebanon has supported education in public schools for more than 10 years through a five-week summer school program but this is the first year that this educational support was provided though remedial classes held in conjunction with the regular school year.
MCC covered the salaries of teachers involved in this program and the school administration provided the facilities. Close to 500 students, all students eligible for the remedial classes participated in this program.
Students were responsible for their own transportation costs—a challenge for some of the families who lost their homes and livelihoods during the 34-day war last summer, explained Seitz.
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Lebanese students improve their grades through attending remedial classes supported by MCC. (MCC Photo)
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