Helping disadvantaged children in Lebanon start and stay in school
Without learning opportunities in their early years, children are unprepared for educational activities at school, increasing the risk of them giving up and dropping out. Early childhood education (ECE) gives children the skills they need to cope with the life-determining transition to school.
Access to ECE in Lebanon is heavily influenced by wealth and geography, so the poorest and most vulnerable children start school at a critical disadvantage. Unable to keep pace, they often suffer persistent poor performance, leading to frustration and high dropout rates.
To stop vulnerable children from slipping through the cracks, our partner Ana Aqra Association has developed an ECE kit that gives 3- to 6-year-olds a head start on school readiness. It is one of several initiatives funded by Porticus and featured by Ana Aqra in this video.
Nadine Al Richani, Porticus Regional Director says: “The secret of Ana Aqra’s success is that they always put the child first. Working with parents, teachers, schools and the government, they build a holistic support network around children that helps them integrate into school more permanently. With the government now distributing the kit to all public schools with pre-school classes, this local NGO has achieved nationwide impact.”
Porticus partner: Ana Aqra Association
Photos courtesy Ana Aqra.
