“We believe that education is essential for economic and social progress.”
Many Lebanese children do not attend schools for economic reasons, whether because they have to work to support their families or because their families cannot afford school-related expenses.
The deteriorating economic conditions in Lebanon since the civil war have negatively affected gross school enrollment rates dramatically.
According to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources, the gross school enrollment rate in Lebanon stands at (60%) lower than that of countries in the region such as Qatar (86%) and Jordan (65%).
Although only limited data is available, it is estimated that 25% of the Lebanese population lives on less than four US dollars a day.
Moreover, the disparity between the rich and the poor is great and is worsening. Many communities throughout the country are marginalized, living in poverty, under-served by public services such as water and electricity, and essentially ignored by the government.
MFA’S ACTION PLAN
Established in 1878, Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association of Beirut is a humanitarian association, which provides services within three main sectors: Education, health and social affairs.
Makassed has also broadened its reach in the field of education, having established four post-secondary institutions under the umbrella of Makassed Beirut University: The College for Islamic Studies, Makassed College of Nursing and Health Services, and Abdel Hadi Debs Vocational and Training Center.
Currently, Makassed runs six schools in Beirut and seven schools in remote areas; it provides quality education to more than 9,000 enrolled students with 5,100 enrolled students benefiting from its scholarship fund in the academic year 2019-2020.
The annual tuition fees at Al Makassed schools is 800 USD and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education contributes with 700 USD that it covers within three years. However, the cost of educating a child amounts to 2,200 USD, causing a deficit of 700 USD per student.
For this reason, each annual scholarship costs 700 USD per student. Thus, the Scholarship Fund aims to support the work of the Association without burdening the budget of contributors.
As part of its commitment to supporting the education of youth in Lebanon, Makassed grants full University scholarship assistance to exceptional students enrolled in Universities in Lebanon and USA.
We need your help to empower children and youth with the skills they need to survive and thrive in the Twenty-first Century.
