Palestinian school children excluded from free school books || Newspapers (Arabic)

The Palestinian Youth Democratic Union denounced the decision not to include Palestinian children in the free schoolbooks programme.  In fact, Palestinian school children were notified that they will need to purchase their school books!  The Union asked the Ministry of Education to review its decision and address this discrimination and injustice which is hurtful to Palestinian children and does not serve to strengthen ties amongst Lebanese and Palestinians,
The Minister of Education, Hassan Diab, reiterated that the decision to provide free school books for elementary and intermediate classes was according to law 211 which was decreed in 2012 and which only benefits Lebanese children.  Diab also indicated that 24000 school children are currently registered in the programme to support the poorest families which is subsidized by the cabinet and are able as such to attend schools free of charge and benefit from the free school books plan.  Based on this, the cabinet had subsequently decreed law 211/2012 and released 5 million USD to cover the cost of school books for 270000 “Lebanese” school children.
Diab estimated that that the number of “non-Lebanese” students registered in public schools is anywhere between 30 to 50 thousand child for whom the Cabinet will need an additional one to one and a half million dollars to pay for their schoolbooks.  Finally, the Minister noted that he had submitted a request to the Cabinet to look into this matter and secure the necessary funds.

Original news in Arabic: Al-Akhbar