Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Adventurer]

Political conflicts seep into Lebanon's classrooms
By Pakinam Amer Jan 1, 2007, 2:25 GMT



Beirut - Political conflict has seeped into classrooms as college and high-school students and even children take sides while Lebanon suffers under a deteriorating political standoff.

'Are you (the ruling) March 14 (Forces) or opposition? the kids at my school always ask me nowadays,' says a young veiled student aged around 15, adding that fellow students once threatened her with a stick as they asked her who she supported.

Lebanon has been witnessing political turmoil since clashes erupted between opposition forces and the government several weeks ago.

At another level, some argue that students - no matter how old or young - are distracted by the protests, and that the hyped political activities are ruining the school year as end-of-term exams approach.

'I'm failing some subjects because of this,' says el-Arabi, the Sunni student, explaining that he is 'a clever' student.

El-Arabi's friends, standing at his side, also say they lost marks because they have often abandoned studies in order to go watch the festival-like rallies held every day.

And a headmaster has recently told the pan-Arab al-Arabiya television that some children have used the rallies as an excuse to skip school.