ESIS extension / Lebanon / www Indicators / Update Memo 6

November 2000

Update: Lebanon

Minimal changes have been observed during the quarter under review due to the summer season. The structural reform recently decided by the Ministry of Education and Youth brought down the number of primary and secondary schools. This reform entering into effect this academic year is aiming at improving the efficiency of schools and better using the human resources in the education sector. The outcome of this reform is expected to stress the need to implement modern pedagogical methods relying on ICT.

The number of schools having a website is still low. It is however expected to rise in the near future due to the following reasons:

A recent Network has been authorized by the Governement to provide assistance on various course topics to public and private schools < www.cartage.org.lb >. A special program is promoting the use of Internet for distance learning. This action is to be extended to remote locations on the Lebanese territory and hence induce greater visibility on the Web for many schools.

Recent fundamental updating of the Education curriculum made it mandatory for schools to teach and use in teaching the new technologies. A vast computerization program is underway along with intensive traininig for teachers in the secondary education level.

Nearly one thousand new computers have been installed in public schools following an initiative from the Professional computing Association (PCA) to help the Government enhance the level of computer awareness among the young generations. A number of pedagogical packages have been tested for future use in the coming academic year.

The situation is at present reflected in the table below:

	Total number of "population"	Total number of Web sites	% of website / total number of "population"	Source (see below the explanation)
Primary and secondary schools	2200 approx	65	3%	1
High schools and universities	23	15	65%	2
National ministries	30	20	66%	3
Regional and local authorities (regions, departments/counties, municipalities)	150	17	12%	3
Hospitals/clinics	154	10	6%	3
Museums	3	2	66%	3
Libraries	10	4	40%	3
Totals		133		4

(1) The main source of information is the Ministry of Education but no recent report has been published about the schools population; the figures given are therefore estimations taken from the National Pedagogy Research Center <www.cnrdp.gov.lb>.

(2) Ministry of Education and the Francophone Agency AUPELF grouping universities and other higher learning institutions having the french language in common: <www.lb.refer.org>.

(3) Internet search and preliminary field research and <www.lebanon-online.com>, <www.sodetel.net.lb>, <www.lebsearch.com> <www.yalla.com.lb>.

(4) According to Mr Nabil Bukhalid (cited by the English speaking newspaper ‘The Daily Star) from the American University of Beirut responsible for running the Lebanese Domain Registry (LBDR), there are approximately 1700 registered (.lb) domain names today. He believes however that there are many more sites of Lebanese origin registered (.com) with US providers.

Please note that this report has been prepared under the sole responsibility of the ESIS II contractors.
It does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission, nor does the Commission accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information contained herein.
The ESIS Team of contractors welcomes any additional information or corrections.