Summary
A draft law aiming to bring Lebanon's 22-year-old computer science curriculum up to date has been approved by the Education Ministry.
In addition to IT, the new course is meant to encompass elements of vocational technology, a subject neglected by more than 90 percent of schools. It would begin in grade one, rather than grade seven as is the case now.
The goal is for the new course to be implemented in all schools. According to government advisory body the Center for Educational Research and Development, 63 percent of public schools currently teach IT in grades seven to nine and 86 percent in grades 10 to 12 .
To some extent, this is due to a lack of facilities -- 175 of the 875 public schools teaching grades 7 to 9 lack computer labs.
The most eye-catching addition is the new robotics and AI component, in which students would learn to program and operate cutting-edge technologies.
A pilot scheme is being planned to trial the new curriculum in up to 50 schools.
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