A National Call for a Unified Vision to Advance Education in Lebanon – The Second National Educational Conference (NEC2025) under the theme “Bridging the Gap”.
Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Rima Karami, Minister of Education and Higher Education, the Association of Evangelical Schools in Lebanon inaugurated the Second National Educational Conference (NEC2025), attended by around 350 educational, religious, political, and security figures, including heads of institutions, school principals, and education experts. The conference offers a platform for over 1,500 educators to participate in 94 specialized training sessions and workshops led by 63 speakers over two days — October 31 and November 1.
The opening ceremony began with the Lebanese National Anthem, followed by a documentary highlighting the mission and legacy of the Evangelical Association, whose educational service to Lebanese society spans more than a century and a half.
Mr. David Gray, Principal of Brummana High School, delivered a welcoming speech expressing the school’s pride in hosting this national event that reaffirms the role of education in uniting society and building the future. He emphasized that since its founding in 1873, Brummana High School has been a beacon of learning, education, and human enlightenment, continuing its authentic mission of nurturing generations and strengthening dialogue and cooperation among educational institutions in Lebanon.
In his address, Dr. George Rahbany, President of the Association of Evangelical Schools in Lebanon, stated that holding this second conference after years of economic and health crises is an act of faith and a renewal of commitment to the Association’s humanitarian and national mission. He stressed that education is not merely a profession or a job, but a calling and a mission.
The General Secretary of the Association, Dr. Nabil Costa, delivered a central speech emphasizing that this conference is not a ceremonial gathering but a national workshop for producing practical solutions and actionable recommendations to address the structural challenges facing education in Lebanon. He noted that the current educational landscape calls for bold action, as the gap continues to widen between public and private education, between students themselves, and between schools and their communities.
From this perspective, Dr. Costa called for the convening of a National Educational Retreat, bringing together policymakers, educational leaders, and academic bodies to create a shared platform for dialogue and planning — one that would outline a unified vision for the future of nearly one million students in Lebanon. He clarified that this initiative is not about severing ties with the past but about revitalizing and modernizing it through faith, determination, and collective effort, to restore confidence in the role of schools and teachers in building a just and balanced society.
H.E. Dr. Rima Karami, Minister of Education and Higher Education, expressed her appreciation to the Association of Evangelical Schools for organizing this national event and commended its pioneering role in advancing education. She underscored the importance of partnership between the Ministry of Education and private educational institutions in developing national education, affirming that reforming Lebanon’s educational system requires collective effort and collaboration among all stakeholders to build a generation that is both creative and responsible.
Dr. Karami also highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing work on curriculum reform and continuous teacher training programs, stressing the Ministry’s openness to all serious initiatives that aim to enhance the quality and equity of education in Lebanon.
The opening ceremony concluded with a prayer led by Rev. Joseph Kassab, President of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, offering thanks to God for the united efforts of educational institutions in serving generations and nurturing them in faith, knowledge, and love.
The conference continues at Brummana High School over two days, featuring panel discussions and specialized workshops led by Lebanese and international experts. Its final recommendations will be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to help shape future educational policies and strengthen the overall quality of education in Lebanon.