Official Exams Remain a Political Decision as Military Escalation Continues Across Lebanon

As Israeli military operations expand and bombing campaigns persist across multiple Lebanese regions—from Sidon to Nabatieh, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs—the question of whether official examinations can proceed safely continues to dominate educational and political discourse.

The head of the Secondary Education Teachers Association, Jamal Umar, has raised serious concerns about conducting official exams under current security conditions. In an interview, he emphasized the gravity of the military escalation and repeated targeting of populated areas, noting that even Beirut itself is not immune to recent strikes in its vicinity.

Umar revealed that the matter was discussed within the parliamentary education committee, where educational unions voiced their concerns clearly. However, he expressed surprise that the Cabinet unanimously approved proceeding with official certificate examinations, encompassing all government components.

He argued that ministers from the "Duo" bloc—whose constituents include displaced persons and whose regions suffer the most damage—should have been at the forefront of demanding reconsideration of this decision. According to Umar, political considerations are driving the educational decision, rather than pedagogical factors alone.

"As an association, without any major component stepping forward, we find ourselves standing alone in raising this issue and warning against it, as if we alone bear its consequences, while the official certificate exams proceed regardless of all risks, apparently based on a political decision," Umar stated.

He drew a parallel between the Education Ministry's role and that of the Interior Ministry regarding elections, arguing that both are asked to demonstrate logistical readiness based on a pre-existing political decision. Just as Parliament delayed elections despite the Interior Minister's declaration of readiness, a similar decision could be made regarding exams. "In every major undertaking, there is talk of logistical readiness, but ultimately the decision is political," he said.

While not defending the Education Minister, Umar emphasized that the ministry must maintain readiness regardless of whether exams proceed. However, the final decision remains fundamentally political rather than technical or educational, especially given security and intelligence reports indicating that field conditions do not permit safe exam administration.

"I hold the political authority responsible for this course of action, because holding the educational sector alone accountable for the consequences of a decision in which it has no voice constitutes a clear injustice," Umar stated. "Teachers already suffer from suffocating living crises, yet they are asked to bear additional burdens as a result of political decisions they do not help make."

He revealed that he presented this position to the parliamentary education committee and expressed shock at its recommendation to postpone exams for two weeks. "What will change in two weeks?" he questioned.

Umar pointed out that Israeli attacks have targeted multiple regions, from the Bekaa and North Bekaa to Beirut and its surroundings, raising serious questions about the safety of conducting official exams in an environment susceptible to escalation at any moment, with potential risks to both students and teachers.

He stressed the necessity of submitting security reports to the Cabinet for appropriate decision-making, whether to proceed with or suspend exams. The reference point for this matter should be both security and political considerations combined, he argued.

Umar concluded by noting that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has the capacity, through legislative initiative, to call for a session and enact legislation if necessary. He emphasized that multiple political and legal alternatives exist, but the critical point is not to leave educational bodies alone in confronting the consequences of such a significant decision. Instead, political, legislative, and executive authorities must assume their full responsibilities in this sensitive matter.