The Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development has taken another step toward introducing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) in 12 public schools across Lebanon. In line with the memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Hariri Foundation, and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), the Foundation organized a training workshop at the Ministry for the administrative and academic teams of the selected schools, as part of ongoing efforts to prepare them for the accreditation process.
Hariri Foundation President Bahia Hariri and Director General of the Ministry of Education Fadi Yarak toured the training sessions, accompanied by Mary Tadros, Director of Accreditation and Development at the IBO; the Foundation’s Executive Director Dr. Robina Abou Zeinab; and IB Advisor Rania Jabaai. The workshop was facilitated by Project Coordinator Ghada Maalouf.
During the visit, Hariri reaffirmed her ongoing commitment to supporting public schools and following up on their needs. Tadros commended the Hariri Foundation’s role in strengthening the education sector and highlighted the importance of this initiative in transforming learning and improving educational quality.
The delegation also visited Raml Al-Zarif Public Middle School and Prince Shakib Arslan Public High School, both candidates for the PYP accreditation. School leaders briefed the visitors on the progress of integrating the program into classrooms and discussed the challenges and opportunities each institution faces in adapting to the IB framework.
About the Project
On August 16, 2023, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in cooperation with the Hariri Foundation, signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Baccalaureate Organization to introduce the PYP into 12 public schools across Lebanon. This groundbreaking initiative aims to promote social equity in education by ensuring that students in the public sector have access to high-quality, internationally recognized learning opportunities. It reflects a shared vision of fostering educational excellence and cultivating a lifelong learning culture.
The IBO has appointed specialized advisors to guide the 12 public schools through the accreditation journey, helping them become part of the global IB school network. This network offers an internationally enriched learning environment that encourages innovation, critical thinking, and cross-cultural exchange among students and educators. It also supports continuous professional development and contributes to attracting highly qualified teachers and engaged students.
