Academic Year Opens Across Middle East Amid Regional Tensions and Conflict
The new academic year opened across neighboring Arab states amid regional tensions and conflict. In Lebanon, schools in the south face severe disruptions and structural damage as IDF operations continue, while Syria and Gulf nations implement new administrative and digital measures.
The new academic year has begun across neighboring Arab states and the Gulf, starting under the shadow of ongoing security tensions, operational challenges, and active combat in several sectors. Lebanon marked the latest start to the school year, facing severe disruptions as the IDF continued its operations against Hezbollah in the southern part of the country.
The Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar reported that the academic year in southern Lebanon is plagued by uncertainty, with school administrations suspending enrollments, scheduling, transport arrangements, and textbook sales for at least a week amid significant Israeli escalation. Meanwhile, the pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al-Akhbar noted that while public schools were officially scheduled to open, the situation is far from smooth. The conflict has forced a new reality, particularly in areas where the demographic composition has shifted due to displacement.
Impact on Educational Infrastructure
The consequences of the war are acutely felt in the south, where some schools will reopen for in-person classes while others remain closed or adopt alternative methods. Lebanese Minister of Education Rima Karami emphasized in recent weeks that the priority is to ensure children study in a physically, educationally, and psychologically safe environment. If security conditions in the south do not permit physical attendance, schools will transition to online learning.
According to An-Nahar, data from southern Lebanon—specifically the Nabatieh region—indicates that 198 out of 267 existing schools have sustained damage, with 30 entirely destroyed. Across the country, 257 public schools serving 71,446 students and 117 private schools serving 53,761 students have suffered structural damage. Furthermore, numerous schools have been converted into shelters for displaced persons, complicating the return to education.
Developments in Syria and the Gulf
In Syria, the academic year commenced on September 6, with over 5.2 million students returning to classrooms across various provinces. The state news agency SANA reported the implementation of unified curricula nationwide to strengthen educational cohesion. However, years of civil war continue to take a heavy toll; in the Al-Hasakah governorate, students were documented sitting on floors in classrooms lacking doors or proper blackboards. The Syrian Ministry of Education stated that 1,370 schools were rehabilitated throughout 2026, following the restoration of 2,017 schools in 2025, though over 6,000 schools still require critical maintenance.
Meanwhile, the Gulf states have also initiated their school terms, with Qatar introducing a novel attendance system titled "Hudouri" ("My Attendance" in Hebrew) across schools and transport fleets. Utilizing contactless palm-recognition technology, the digital system aims to streamline student tracking, alleviate administrative burdens on staff, and enhance school discipline. The Qatari Ministry of Education emphasized that the integration aligns with ongoing digital transformation efforts.
