The future of Lebanon is linked to the maintenance of the educational system - Carmel Saint-Joseph de Mechref

Collège of Carmel Saint-Joseph (CCSJ) of Mechref

History and Mission

• In 1935, the French congregation of the Carmel Saint

• Joseph Carmel, originally from the region of Mâcon, France.

• It founded the technical school of the Carmel Saint Joseph in Beirut in 1936.

• In 1947, she moved to rue de Verdun where she created an establishment under the authority of the Lebanese Ministry of Education, which quickly included all levels of education. Since 1968, in parallel to the Lebanese programs, the Carmel Saint Joseph also applies the French programs and prepares all its students to the two Baccalaureates, French and Lebanese. Since 1997, the Collège du Carmel Saint Joseph (CCSJ) is among the first schools to be fully approved by France.

• The CCSJ, faithful to its mission of living together and inter-community dialogue, did not close its doors at any time during the dark years of the war. It thus provided the young people it welcomed with a complete academic curriculum but above all a place of encounter, culture and life, against all odds, a true cultural resistance in which all the members of the educational community were resolutely engaged.

• In 1995, after the expiry of the lease on the Rue Verdun premises, the CCSJ was given the choice of various geographical regions to relocate to. It is at the crossroads of regions and religions, in Mechref - Damour, south of Beirut that the congregation resolutely chooses to do so. It thus fully assumes its original choice: that of an Institution, a microcosm of the plural reality of Lebanon, at the service of the formation of future citizens, subjects of their own history, conscious of their responsibilities in the advent of a state of law for their country, whatever their social, political or denominational affiliation.

• Thus, the educational project of the CCSJ has always been based on the values of responsible living together: recognition and openness to all, social and religious diversity, hospitality and benevolent dialogue, education for autonomy, responsibility and social commitment.

• This project defends and fully values the Arabic language and culture, personal and social foundation of the Lebanese citizen, while privileging an opening to the universal and to the critical spirit through the French language and culture.

• Thus, the CCSJ proposes the presence and the commitment of an excellent pole of training, meeting, dialogue and culture in favour of the youth of the region where it has been established since 1995 as well as in favour of all the Lebanese youth, towards the full intellectual, human and civic realization of each one.

• Three educational units: nursery and primary classes, college (2 classes per level, 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd) and high school (2 classes per level, 2nd, 1st and final).
• Slightly more than 700 students, of various social origins and various denominations: Christians, Shiites, Sunnis and Druze.
• Languages taught: Arabic, French and English; French is the language of daily exchanges.
• Prepared exams: Lebanese patent and baccalaureate; French baccalaureate, whose excellent success rate (100% with 90% mentions) testifies to the high quality of French teaching while the school is located in a region of Lebanon of Arab culture.

The Carmel Saint Joseph does not receive any aid from the Lebanese State.
It bears all operating costs (including salaries).
Its only resources come from the payment of school fees by the families.

 

Since October 2019, LEBANON has experienced a dramatic deterioration in the political, economic and health situation.

      > 90% devaluation of the Lebanese pound, freezing of deposited funds in banks.
      >  Dizzying increase in basic necessities, bread, flour, gasoline...
                Electricity is only supplied by the Lebanese State for 2 hours a day.
                The rest of the time the school is supplied by a generator whose fuel costs $1,000 per week.