Lebanon: Lebanon Education Profile

Education in Lebanon is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE). In Lebanon, English or French with Arabic are taught from early years in schools. English or French are the mandatory medium of instruction for mathematics and science for all schools.Education is compulsory from age 6 to age 14.

According to a 2013 World Economic Forum report, Lebanon is ranked 10th in overall quality of education, and 4th in science and math,These rankings are based on the Executive Opinion Survey, carried out as part of the WEF's Global Competitiveness Report, based on polling a sample of business leaders in each respective country.

In 2014, the country ranked second in MENA (behind Qatar) in terms of quality of primary education and net enrollment rate. Lebanon's adult and youth literacy rates rank among the highest in the MENA region

Lebanon has one of the highest literacy rates in the Arab world because of its well-developed system of education. This system is divided in two sectors, private schools and universities and the public schools and universities. Schools follow the prescribed guidelines of the Ministry of Education. There are four levels of education in Lebanon and these are the primary, intermediate, secondary and the higher Education. The first three phases are free for all students and the first eight years are compulsory by law. The main subjects in their curriculum are sciences, Arabic mathematics and either English or French.

Primary education is taken up for six years. In this level, the subjects being taught are mostly academic with Arabic used as a medium of teaching though some private schools use either French or English as their medium of teaching. After finishing primary education, students are now qualified for admission to intermediate education.

Intermediate education lasts for three years. Students have three different choices in this level. First, a three-year academic course designed to prepare students for the baccalaureate exams. Second, a three-year program designed to prepare students for entering vocational schools or teacher-training institutes and lastly, a three year practical course for less skilled trades. Students earn an Intermediate Certification upon completion of this level.

Moreover, secondary education also has three different programs for the students. The first one is designed for prospective primary and secondary school teachers and it is a three-year program. Second, a vocational program that prepares students for careers in fields such as business and advertising. The last one is designed to focus on academic fields such as mathematics and sciences. Baccalaureate Certificate is awarded to students who finish one of the programs in this level.

After they finish secondary education, students have the option to study in a college, a university or a vocational training institute. However, the number of years in higher education varies, depending on the program that the students’ choose.

Primary Education

At between age 3 and 4 Lebanese children enter primary school for 6 years. This time is divided equally between elementary and additional advanced cycles 1 and 2. Gross enrolment is around 95% for both sexes.

Middle Education

The following three years are spent at intermediate level equivalent to middle school. By this time additional that 10% of primary pupils will have dropped out.

Secondary Education

During their 3 levels at secondary school chief teachers decide whether students follow humanities or technical education streams. If successful, they obtain either Shahaadat Al-Bakaalouriya al Lubnaaniya l’il-ta ‘liim al-Thaanawi secondary education certificates, or  Al-Bakaalouriya al-Finniya technical baccalaureates.

Vocational Education

Next secondary school students with technical baccalaureates may proceed to technical or vocational institutes. Alternatively, they are by instantly qualified to enter employment, and perhaps attend several shorter training courses later on too.

Tertiary Education

Lebanese tertiary education institutions comprise universities, university colleges and university institutes where gross enrollment approaches 50% of potential. The only public facility is the Lebanese University.

Academic standards are high although local job opportunities are relatively few. For this reason Lebanon continues to lose many of its brightest children. The American University of Beirut is Lebanon's oldest, founded in 1866.

Grading System in Lebanon

Universities in Lebanon

This list includes universities, colleges, vocational schools, and other higher education institutions.