The new school year in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh governorate has started with classrooms serving both as learning spaces and shelters for families displaced by Israeli attacks.
In the southern town of Froun, Bint Jbeil District, a local public school has been converted into a combined educational and shelter facility ahead of the school year's start.
Ghina Ammash, a displaced student living in the school with her family, shared her hopes for the year despite the difficult circumstances.
"We hope it will be a good school year, but we're staying here because we have no other choice. We want to study, succeed, and work when we grow up, and we hope it will be a good school year," said Ammash, a student at the Froun Intermediate Public School.
School principal Abbas Makki outlined the challenges the faculty and students face as displacement continues in Froun.
"Our student enrollment has dropped by half, and the start of the school year was chaotic. There are students who enrolled here but are unable to secure housing, though they were promised accommodation would be provided for them. We insisted on starting the school year despite the presence of displaced people so no one is shortchanged. We have set aside one floor for housing and another for teaching," said Makki.
In Nabatieh, the school year opened amid fears of further attacks and forced displacement, with some schools damaged or unusable.
Isaac Muhammad Hammoud, a local high school teacher, noted the staff's determination.
"Despite the many challenges we face this year - starting with our move from the main building of Hassan Kamel Al-Sabah High School to the Nabatieh Vocational School building - the teachers' determination to persevere and their sense of responsibility have driven them to overcome these hardships and show up to deliver their message," said Hammoud, who works at the Hassan Kamel al-Sabbah High School.
"There are many difficulties we face. The situation isn't good. We move about cautiously, never knowing when the enemy will attack, and we are displaced. Distance learning isn't enough, in-person learning works better," said Aya Zaitoun, a student at the shool.
New school year begins in southern Lebanon, with classrooms doubling as shelters
New school year begins in southern Lebanon, with classrooms doubling as shelters
