Schools in Lebanon are scheduled to start on September 15, but many are still hosting people displaced by the ongoing conflict with Israel. Abbas Makki, the principal of a school in Froun, southern Lebanon, is preparing for the return of students while also providing shelter for displaced individuals in the village. Froun has suffered damage from Israeli air strikes, and local officials report that most of the village lacks state-provided water and electricity, complicating the return of displaced residents.
Makki stated, "Our area has been devastated," noting that the school reopened immediately after a US-declared truce in June and will continue to serve as a shelter. He emphasized, "We will reopen the school [for students], but will not abandon the displaced people."
The conflict escalated again in March, following attacks that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Hezbollah attacked Israel, which led to a significant Israeli military response and the displacement of over one million Lebanese, primarily from southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs.
In April, US-brokered negotiations between Israel and Lebanon began, culminating in a framework agreement in June that included plans for Israel to withdraw troops from designated pilot zones, allowing the Lebanese Army to disarm Hezbollah. Froun was included in this programme, although residents reported that Israel had never controlled the town.
After the ceasefire, some locals returned to find their homes destroyed. Soujoud Ramadan, who now operates a small market at the school, expressed hope for the town's recovery, stating, "We returned here after the ceasefire to a completely destroyed village. But I hope Froun will return like it was and even better."
The Lebanese government aims to restore water and electricity to Froun by September 15. While many displaced individuals have returned to their homes or found alternative accommodations, recent Israeli attacks have caused some to flee again. On September 4, Israel's military actions resulted in the deaths of 12 people in southern Lebanon, including two children, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, which reported that 4,381 people have died in Lebanon due to Israeli actions since March 2.
Currently, hundreds of thousands remain displaced. Maysoun Chehab, a senior education programme specialist at UNESCO, stated, "A school cannot function simultaneously as a proper shelter and a normal learning environment," highlighting that reopening schools will be delayed or classroom capacity reduced where displaced families are accommodated. Education Minister Rima Karami assured that every student would have access to schools for the 2026-27 academic year, but emphasized that no displaced person would be removed from a school without an alternative.
In nearby Srifa, displaced individuals were moved from a public school to a private school, while in Bourj Qalaway, plans are underway to install prefabricated classrooms where a school was previously destroyed. Makki noted that prefabricated houses would be provided for the displaced to facilitate the return of students to school.
Despite efforts to reopen schools, educational experts warn that the new school year will be challenging due to extensive damage from the conflict. Chehab pointed out that over 340 schools have been damaged and 454 have been affected by conflict or displacement-related disruptions. She stated, "Education cannot wait for complete political or security stability," stressing the need to return children to safe learning environments to protect Lebanon's future.