Education Minister Rima Karami Addresses Exam Decisions Amid Challenging Academic Year

Education and Higher Education Minister Rima Karami has weighed in on the handling of official examinations during what she characterized as an abnormal academic year.

Drawing on her personal background as a child of Lebanon's civil war, Karami emphasized her understanding of the psychological toll that accompanies prolonged uncertainty, anxiety, and instability. "I know what it means for people to live with worry, fear, and the absence of stability," she stated.

The minister stressed that any decisions regarding official examinations must be grounded in a genuine comprehension of students' current circumstances. She underscored the importance of balancing competing concerns: the need to account for students' difficult conditions while simultaneously protecting the integrity of the official credential.

Karami cautioned against a complete cancellation of examinations, warning that such a move could undermine the value and credibility of the official certificate. "This decision carries the responsibility of safeguarding the official diploma, and we cannot move toward a total elimination that would compromise its worth," she explained.

Her remarks reflect the government's efforts to navigate a delicate situation that requires consideration for both student welfare and educational standards.