School closure during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted 1,000+ Syrian children at Jusoor’s centers in Lebanon. 53% of Syrian school-aged children in Lebanon are out of school, and only 9% attend schools offering hybrid or online learning. An increasing number of Lebanese public schools are refusing to enroll refugee children. Children with disabilities are disproportionately deprived of education.
Azima ensures that all children, regardless of background, have access to quality schooling and an equitable opportunity to succeed. The online format ensures that Jusoor can support the hardest-to-reach children by addressing common barriers like transportation, lack of legal documentation, physical disabilities, and the prevalence of child labor. Azima adapts a three-pronged approach: online learning, take-home materials, and virtual psychosocial support. Teachers engage with students and parents via Whatsapp to distribute short instructional videos and activities. Students respond with photos and videos of their homework for feedback and corrections. For areas with more limited internet access, offline learning packets enable students to continue learning from home. This approach has proven effective in maintaining educational continuity under challenging circumstances, with over 80% subject assessment pass rates, and over 70% participation rates in 2023-2024.
In 2020, Jusoor turned a global crisis into an opportunity for innovation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Azima received The UNHCR EdTech Hub Award. Azima rapidly evolved into a long-term solution for students facing barriers to traditional schooling, including those with physical disabilities and economic hardships. To date, Azima has provided learning to over 670 refugee students across Lebanon. This year, Azima is piloting AI technology in collaboration with Lirvana Labs. We plan to expand Azima to refugee communities in Lebanon and other countries such as Egypt and Turkey, sharpen our curriculum with cutting-edge technology, and offer war- and displacement-affected refugee children quality education with global recognition.
For advice and support on adapting Azima to your context, please get in touch with us at info@jusoor.ngo. Our team of educators can share information and guidance on building a WhatsApp based learning solution for your target population.
