Overview of the General Education System

Lebanon's education system reflects both its rich historical legacies and evolving educational policies. Pre-primary education began receiving official attention in the 1940s and became integrated into public provision following decrees issued between 1968 and 1993.

The education system consists of three main levels. The kindergarten, basic education, and secondary education. Kindergarten serves children from ages 3 to 5. Basic education is for grades 1 through 9 and is divided into three cycles, namely Cycle 1, which includes Grades 1 to 3, Cycle 2, which includes Grades 4 to 6, and Cycle 3, which includes Grades 7 to 9. Finally, secondary education covers Grades 10 to 12 and concludes with either a general or technical diploma. Languages of instruction include Arabic in early education stages, transitioning to French or English for math and science in later cycles.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) governs the public education sector through centralized regulation and regional education bureaus. Private schools operate independently but are subject to MEHE’s educational mandates. The Educational Center for Research and Development (ECRD), a semi-autonomous body under the MEHE, is tasked with curriculum development, teacher training, textbook publication, and evaluation.

School types include public, private, religious, and international institutions. Enrollment remains high in primary school (about 95%), although dropout rates increase at the intermediate level. Literacy remains strong at 99.71% of youth males and 87.27% of adults are literate, of which male is 91.76% while females are 82.79%.

A rate of 60.17% of eligible children were enrolled in tertiary education as of 2023, with most enrolled in private institutions (59.59% in 2019). The Lebanese University remains the sole public tertiary institution among 40 private institutions, including 28 universities and several religious colleges. Despite a strong academic tradition, Lebanon continues to experience significant brain drain, driven by limited local employment opportunities.

Compulsory education in Lebanon extends from age six to 15 and is legally mandated at the primary and intermediate levels. Pre-primary education, while not mandatory, has gained increasing recognition over recent decades. Children may enter preschool at age four and attend for four hours daily, five days per week. The preschool phase emphasizes physical, emotional, and cognitive development and is divided into structured activities, both guided and free play, monitored by educators and sometimes psychologists.

The primary cycle begins at age six and lasts six years, comprising the first and second educational modules. Grades 1 to 3 constitute the first module, and grades 4 to 6 the second. This cycle is compulsory and foundational for further education. Enrollment in primary school is high, with gross rates near 95% for both boys and girls.

Following primary education is the intermediate (or middle school) level, spanning three years (Grades 7–9), completing the basic education stage. At this level, student dropouts begin to appear more significantly; over 10% of students discontinue their studies by this phase. Upon completion, students are issued a Brevet certificate, a prerequisite for progressing to secondary school.

Secondary education lasts another three years (Grades 10–12) and offers two streams: a general stream culminating in the Lebanese Baccalaureate in Humanities or Sciences, and a technical stream awarding the Technical Baccalaureate. Although not part of the compulsory education mandate, secondary education is pursued by a majority of students due to its value in accessing higher education or professional training.

Transitions between stages are smooth and guided by a centralized curriculum structure. The system ensures foundational knowledge and allows early specialization. Despite socioeconomic challenges, the Lebanese state continues to invest in expanding access to education and retaining students throughout the compulsory years.

Lebanon’s higher education sector includes universities, university colleges, institutes, and vocational institutions. It is divided into general and vocational tertiary education. The Lebanese University is the only public university, while 40 private institutions, including 28 full universities, operate across the country. Among the most prestigious is the American University of Beirut, founded in 1866.

Undergraduate programs lead to the Licence or Bachelor’s degree over three to five years. Graduate education includes the Maîtrise, Master’s degree, or Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures, depending on the institution and language of instruction. Professional programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, and physiotherapy require five to seven years of study. Doctoral programs involve advanced research and thesis writing, culminating in the Doctorate or Ph.D.

Entry to universities requires a secondary school Baccalaureate. Vocational institutions may admit students with technical qualifications. Accreditation is regulated by MEHE, which also oversees curriculum and examination content, primarily through the Lebanese University’s supervisory role.