BEIRUT, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Wednesday contributed 40 million euros (43.8 million U.S. dollars) to Lebanon's education sector to ensure that vulnerable children will continue receiving quality education.
The new support, implemented by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, will reduce enrollment barriers for "the most marginalized" boys and girls aged 3-18 years to help them receive education, according to a statement by the EU Delegation to Lebanon.
The announcement was made by EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele during her field visit to a public school.
"The school we are visiting today has been renovated and equipped to ensure an improved, inclusive, and uninterrupted learning for students, including children with disabilities," said De Waele.
"It is one of the 11 schools already upgraded with our support, out of 63 currently under rehabilitation. The EU remains committed to supporting public education for all children in Lebanon, in light of the multiple challenges faced by students, parents, teachers, and educational institutions," she added.
Lebanon has been going through an unprecedented financial crisis, leading to the collapse of the local currency and a devaluation of employees' wages, prompting the exodus of hundreds of professionals, including teachers and doctors.
The devaluation of salaries also forced many parents to remove their children from schools.
