ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the extent to which the current state of the education sector and education opportunities in Lebanon promote social cohesion between host communities and Syrian refugees. It argues that current education opportunities in Lebanon bringing together children and adults of different nationalities and backgrounds in a structured and regular way support social cohesion more effectively than those that limit physical interaction. While the formal education sector has increased its capacity to accommodate for Syrian refugee children, challenges of structural and attitudinal nature remain. Non-formal education activities, which include supporting children to perform well in school and extra-curricular activities, seem to support social cohesion more effectively than the formal education system. The chapter draws on empirical research conducted in Lebanon in late 2016 with Syrian and Lebanese children, parents, teaching staff, NGO and UN agencies and examines different elements of formal and non-formal education activities.
