Universities need to heed social unrest and help students

The Lebanese higher education system has made substantial progress in terms of development and quality since the end of the Civil War in 1990. In 1997, Lebanon embarked on major reforms that aimed to modernise its outdated educational system.

Lebanon’s current education system claims to advocate for equity and equality of opportunity in education. This is not, however, the case for many students who cannot pursue post-secondary education for multiple reasons, including economic hardship.

According to a recent nationwide survey, Lebanese households spend more than 10% of their total budget on education, including 3.5% on post-secondary education. Today, with the current economic crisis provoking demands around people’s right to education, healthcare and prosperity, the percentage of household spending on education has certainly decreased.

Financial difficulties

Students in Lebanon face several problems, most notably a lack of financial resources and time constraints as they try balancing university and work life to pay tuition fees. Registration at the Lebanese University, the sole provider of public higher education, costs approximately US$700, and if students can afford it, they still face some difficulties in securing admission to the colleges they apply to.

Given Lebanon’s complex political system and its sectarian constitution that divides public institutions, entities and government jobs between Muslims and Christians, students are obliged to join a university dominated by people with similar religious beliefs and a similar political affiliation in order to guarantee success.

This, of course, negatively affects higher education attainment rates in Lebanon because the majors offered in a campus dominated by a specific religion may differ from the majors offered in another campus dominated by another religion or sect. This has an impact on their future careers.

Also, the economic slump that Lebanon is currently witnessing and the capital controls imposed by the Central Bank of Lebanon have left many students with no option other than to drop out of school.

Today, working students cannot withdraw their US dollars or local currency money from banks except in very small amounts, which makes them prioritise family financial assistance over anything else. Of course, students in private universities face similar problems whether they work or rely on other sources of income because they cannot access their money in banks.

Money stuck in the bank is called Lollar, a term coined by Dan Azzi, which refers to US dollars stuck in the Lebanese banking system. In effect, a Lollar is just a number in bank computer systems with no corresponding value.

Protests

A recent conversation with 10 students from a number of public and private universities in Beirut shows they are unanimous that the current economic crisis has forced them to take a semester off or register a minimum number of credits because they are not able to afford expensive college tuition fees.

They say this has proved beneficial because it has allowed them time to participate in the protests around equal rights for all citizens. They believe that protesting their right to free education and quality healthcare is a patriotic duty that is even more important than going to school and staying in class.

In support of this argument, one student, Adam, said: “I know that I am not able to afford university and I know that my future might be in jeopardy now, but I do not really care anymore because I am trying to build a new country, a new country with a secular educational system … When coronavirus is over, I will hit the streets again until change happens.”

Similarly, another student, Najwa, explained: “There is no better feeling than chanting your right to a safe, prosperous country that is non-sectarian and free of corruption. We are left without money to go to school… We are left behind with no education to speak of and a dark mysterious future… I had to register for just one online course because I cannot pay for more.”

Another, Alia, stated: “I cannot go to school anymore because my bank does not allow me to withdraw more than US$200 per week. This is barely enough to cover basic living needs and the essential bills. I remain hopeful that this revolution will soon continue and change the entire situation...”

International students

Strict capital control mechanisms imposed by the Central Bank of Lebanon on bank accounts do not allow parents to transfer money to students studying abroad. Therefore, Lebanese students abroad may lose their international student status any time now because they cannot use debit or credit cards issued in Lebanon except for a £300 (US$372) limit per month. Before, that limit was £3,000.

Paying university tuition fees has become an almost impossible task, as such.

To understand how well students are doing under these tough circumstances, I spoke to six students studying in the United States, France and England. Interestingly, all the students indicated that travelling back to Lebanon was not an option regardless of the COVID-19 situation, and that they are willing to do whatever it takes to finish their studies.

They explained that they are practising strict austerity measures and working from home to help them pay their rent, utility bills and university tuition.

With regard to money transfers, although it’s difficult, they recommended bringing US dollars in cash from Lebanon by exchanging local currency money at a very high US dollar rate.

Mariam said: “Since the beginning of the revolution, I haven’t been able to withdraw enough money to live decently. My parents used to send me money through relatives, my friends and my cousins who travel frequently to Lebanon. God knows when the next time will be when I receive money given the lockdown.”

Likewise, Sami mentioned: “I find it really hard to live on the edge. I had to budget and prioritise my spending because I barely have enough money to live… I am working hard to find a job here to continue my studies.”

In a related vein, Julia said: “Literally, I am living off half of the amount of money I used to receive every month. I am still lucky because other students here are broke.”

It is hard to convince the Lebanese government to overturn any decisions pertaining to its new unjust financial policies. However, private and public universities in Lebanon and abroad could be more considerate, accommodating and responsive to students’ urgent needs.

Universities should take into account the current economic situation Lebanese students are facing and try to help them by (a) providing generous financial aid programmes, (b) increasing work-study opportunities, and (c) offering interest-free education loans.

Disregarding the importance of helping students during financial crises negates what institutions of higher learning have always preached and sends a clear message to the world that higher education institutions are not there to expand educational opportunities for the less well-off, but instead to increase the gap between different social classes.

Ibrahim M Karkouti is assistant professor of educational leadership at the Graduate School of Education, the American University in Cairo, Egypt.