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Informed by the recommendations of the UN High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession (UNHLP), the Santiago Consensus and new research focusing on the political economy of education in Lebanon, Education International (EI) member organizations in Lebanon are advocating in the framework of the Go Public! Fund Education campaign for an increase in sustainable funding for the teaching profession and public education.

Research shows dire need for investment in education

New research underlining the dire challenges faced by the education sector due to inadequate investment in education was presented on October 8th, 2025, in Beirut. The research launch sparks the beginning of phase II of the EI Go Public! Fund Education campaign in Lebanon. The first phase focused on raising awareness and commitment to the Go Public! campaign’s goals aiming to achieve greater investment in teachers and public education across each of the seven Lebanese provinces.

The research confirms the need for a significant increase in funding and a sustainable and systematic investment in public education.

It further highlights that, although education funding as a percentage of GDP rose to approximately 2.4% - the increase in funding as a percentage of GDP was due mostly to economic contraction- education spending in Lebanon declined from $1.2 billion annually between 2013 and 2015 to $114 million in 2022. Amid ongoing hyperinflation, funding remains severely insufficient.

The research also shows that around 70% of teachers are employed on temporary contracts without access to benefits, earning between $1 and $2 per hour, and often going unpaid for extended periods. This dual employment structure - contract vs. permanent teachers - has generated significant discontent across the profession.

Even with allowances, monthly earnings range from $200 to $300, which is well below the survival threshold of $450–$500, and less than wages earned for many unskilled jobs.

Establishing a National Teachers’ Commission

Following the presentation of the research findings, the Minister of Education, Dr. S. Reema Karameh, addressed the gathering of union leaders and expressed her commitment to establishing a National Teachers’ Commission. This initiative marks a major step towards social dialogue, coordinated policy development, and improved conditions for teachers across the country.

Manal Hdaife, Chair of the EI Arab Cross-Country Regional Structure (ACCRS) and member of the UNHLP, welcomed this commitment by Minister Karameh: “Bringing together all unions, the Ministry of Finance, and the Prime Minister’s cabinet is a crucial, inclusive step toward addressing the urgent challenges facing our teachers. It reflects recommendation 5 of the UNHLP Report on the Teaching Profession. Its importance cannot be overstated. We look forward to working collaboratively with the Minister to improve the status and conditions of educators across Lebanon.”

Hdaife concluded by noting that the time has come to move from words to action, and to invest meaningfully in public education.

Background

Since 2019, Lebanon’s public education system has been severely impacted by compounded crises, including economic collapse, political gridlock, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut Port explosion, and the 2023–2024 war waged by Israel.

These crises have heavily affected teacher salaries and payment regularity in public schools, as teacher salaries fell below a livable wage in real terms and payments became irregular and relief measures including ad-hoc “productivity” allowances were temporary and uncertain.

The majority of public education teachers in Lebanon are employed on precarious contracts with limited benefits and no predictable path to permanence. Recruitment and salary-scale reforms have been repeatedly delayed. Weak payroll and school-level administrative capacities, fragmented policy-making, and heavy reliance on external aid further undermine predictable, stable pay.

Confronted with this difficult context, teachers report feeling heavy emotional stress and hopelessness, as well as feeling neglected by school administrations and the Ministry of Education in terms of mental health and well-being support.

Furthermore, teacher unions are not legally recognized in Lebanon. This undermines the unions’ ability to organize and push for better working conditions and pay and exacerbates challenges the teaching profession faces.

Next steps based on the research recommendations

Thanks to the awareness raised by the event, UNESCO and the Lebanese Ministry of Education requested the full research report.

The Lebanese education unions are furthermore building alliances within the Parliament. Three young MPs attended the October 8th meeting and expressed support for the campaign.

EI member organizations in Lebanon are also leading the creation of a Trade Union Coalition for the Public Sector under the aegis of the Go Public! campaign, presenting joint demands to defend the public sector.