Social Cohesion in Lebanon’s Secondary School Curriculum: Effects on Students’ Attitudes

Abstract

Ending Lebanon’s civil war, the 1989 Taif Agreement focused on the role of education in strengthening social cohesion, paving the way for a new Lebanese school curricula that came into effect in 1997. Almost 20 years after its implementation, and given the increase of sectarian strife in Lebanon, Shuayb examines the extent to which Lebanon’s education system contributes to the strengthening of social cohesion in the country. Based on a sample of 24 secondary schools –including government, public, private, religious and secular schools – Shuayb investigates the approaches currently being followed in Lebanese secondary schools to foster social cohesion, and the implications these practices have for the political, sectarian, and social attitudes of pupils. To this end, Shuayb conducted extensive student surveys as well as interviews with Lebanese teachers and administrators. Her findings reveal that most schools under study have a narrow understanding of social cohesion, limited to religious pluralism and citizenship and excluding the concept of social justice.