Lebanon (Enmaeya News)— Lebanon held its first-ever in-person IB Day on May 31st, 2025, under the theme “Mindful Learning for Tomorrow,” marking a new chapter in the country’s education landscape. Hosted at Rafic Hariri High School in Saida, the event brought together more than 700 educators from 62 public and private schools, highlighting a growing commitment to inclusive and forward-thinking learning.
The event was organized by the Association of IB World Schools in Lebanon, in partnership with the International Baccalaureate (IB), supported by the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development, and held under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Enmaeya served as the official media partner for this event.
More than 80 facilitators led over 70 interactive workshops and sessions, developed by educators from 15 IB World Schools and IB experts including inclusive teaching practices, student wellbeing, and adapting curricula for a rapidly changing world. The program aimed to equip educators with fresh approaches to make learning more intentional, balanced, and inclusive.
IB Day Lebanon 2025 is part of a global initiative by the International Baccalaureate to promote collaboration and professional growth among schools from both IB and non-IB schools. The event provided a platform for sharing practices and exploring how the IB approach can support more equitable and meaningful learning across the country.
“This is not just a training session, it’s a national turning point,” said H.E. Mrs. Bahia Hariri, President of the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development. She described the initiative as part of a broader vision to embed the elements of the IB programs into the fabric of Lebanon’s evolving educational identity.
H.E. Mrs. Bahia Hariri also emphasized that education should exceed just academic success: “Today we train not to teach memorization, but to teach thinking. To teach the student how to ask, not just how to answer. To guide them to become citizens, not followers; partners, not consumers.”
H.E. Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Rima Karami, who toured several workshops at the event alongside H.E. Mrs. Bahia Hariri, praised the initiative, saying: “Many components of this program align with the vision we aspire for in our national schools and contribute to enhancing their quality.” She added, “Another essential aspect of our national schools, whether public or private, is that they must be inclusive and reinforce citizenship among our students.”
The Minster also emphasized “the importance of everyone contributing—each from their position—to the development of the national school system.”
Mrs. Rania Jibai, Chair of the Association of IB World Schools in Lebanon, described the event as “a celebration of lifelong learning, resilience, and the value of collaboration.” She noted the significance of gathering 700 educators from 62 public and private schools across the country to reflect on building “conscious learning for a better future.”
Jibai expressed her “gratitude to the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Bahia Hariri, the Hariri Foundation and its Executive Director Dr. Rubina Abu Zeinab and HF team, the IB Organization, the organizing team, and all principals and teachers participating,” adding her hope that “IB Day Lebanon 2025 will strengthen our ties, spark new ideas, and serve as a platform for national-level cooperation where shared determination and effort continue to drive progress.”
Mrs. Mary Tadros, IB Senior Manager of Development and Recognition, said: “This is a special day for the IB and for Lebanon. Not only is this the first in-person IB Day in Lebanon, but it is also the most successful one. Lebanon is the first country to introduce the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) into public schools. This is an example to be followed worldwide, coming from a country that has faced so many difficult circumstances.”
Global IB officials shared video messages of support, including Mr. Haif Banyan, Global Director Business Development at IB, who emphasized the importance of the event: “This event is not to be underestimated, especially considering the hardships Lebanon has faced over the past years. But Lebanon has always believed in the importance of learning and its positive impact on nation-building.”
Banyan also expressed pride in the program’s growth: “I’m very proud of the progress IB has made in Lebanon, especially its introduction in public schools. The IB Schools Association, representing all schools in Lebanon, has a role to play in this continued growth—supporting each other and encouraging cooperation between public and private schools through experience sharing.”
A video message was also shared by Mr. Adrian Kearney, Director of IB World Schools, who welcomed participants to IB Day Lebanon 2025 with a message of encouragement and pride. “With great pride and genuine excitement, I welcome you all to IB Day Lebanon 2025, celebrating learning, collaboration, and the shared values that unite the global IB community,” he said, highlighting Rafic Hariri High School as “a shining model of the IB mission.”
Kearney praised the strong turnout and the dedication of the Lebanese IB network: “It is inspiring to see hundreds of enthusiastic participants come together today, representing more than 60 public and private schools from across Lebanon.” He added: “My deep gratitude to each of you for your outstanding leadership and the resilience you have shown in your school communities amid the many challenges Lebanon has faced in recent years. You are simply exceptional educators who always prioritize your students’ well-being and success.”
Mr. Olli-Pekka Heinonen, the Director General of the IB, had a video message that was also played during the event, acknowledging the efforts of the Lebanese IB community. He praised their leadership and impact, saying: “Your collective efforts through the IB Schools Association in Lebanon show us the true meaning of leadership—supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and putting the student at the heart of your mission.”
He added: “You’ve proven that education is not just about preparing for exams—it’s a tool for creating a better world. This commitment embodies the core values of the IB, and we are proud to have you as part of our global community.”
Closing the day, H.E. Minister Rima Karami addressed the audience acknowledging the value of uniting educators around a shared purpose. “I wish I could have been with you from the beginning of the day, but I had another commitment aligned with the same goal—one of the strategies I’ve tried to follow since assuming this great responsibility, which is to celebrate models of educational initiatives that remind us of what education can achieve and of our professional responsibilities as teachers, principals, and education stakeholders,” she said.
She concluded with a message of unity and purpose: “I am happy not only because this school network united public and private sectors, but because I dream of a time when we can say that what unites us is our shared profession—education. Although my workplace is different, my first and primary affiliation is to this noble mission.”
