Kataeb Lawmaker Selim Sayegh pointed out that "this week, the parliament will hold a session in the Education Committee to follow up on the study of laws related to the recommendations taken during a national workshop on education," noting that "these recommendations were made before the start of the Gaza war and as a result, the situation in the south has become urgent."

"We must prioritize the 'south' as a topic of discussion, and thus we must find effective steps and methods. The government must make urgent and swift decisions regarding the evolving situation in the country, especially since the parliament cannot replace the government," Sayegh said in an interview with Voice of Lebanon.

 "Among the existing budgets today or the new budgets, and through whatever remains of the international community's trust in Lebanon, we must urge Lebanon's friends to act swiftly through an emergency humanitarian aid basket for schools and students," he noted.

"Despite distance learning, there are students who do not have sufficient means to pay for internet subscriptions to continue their remote studies. Satistics have shown that there are over 5000 students unable to pursue their studies. Additionally, some private schools in the south are conducting remote learning but under difficult circumstances," he explained.

The Kataeb Lawmaker emphasized that "we must not forget that 70% of secondary education is private", questioning the financial capability of schools to pay teachers' salaries while students' families are unable to afford the tuition fees.

"Solutions are linked to the Lebanese state. The Ministry of Education must swiftly assess the needs, prioritize them today rather than tomorrow, and secure the necessary support for all schools to ensure their continuity in meeting the needs of their teachers, who in turn ensure the continuity of remote learning," he indicated.

"What is happening in the south with the policy of 'scorched earth' and systematic destruction of infrastructure puts us at great risk, even if a ceasefire agreement is reached. Schools, even if not destroyed, are unable to continue their work as usual because they are composed of students, teachers, and administration, many of whom may have been displaced. Therefore, the focus must be on remote learning," Sayegh explained.

"Southern areas like Ain Ebel, Rmeich, Debel, and others, with whom we maintain contact, are in dire need of significant financial support to complete the academic year. The urgent need is around $800,000. A solidarity campaign has been launched between schools, locals, and concerned parties to secure part of this amount, but the required sums are much larger," he added.

Sayegh urged donor organizations that prioritize and value education to direct their assistance to schools in the south to prevent educational dropout.

The Kataeb Lawmaker also alled upon his fellow members of the Education Committee in parliament to adopt a collaborative approach between the government and the parliament to address this issue.