A claim circulating on social media in Libya, suggesting that the Ministry of Education has cancelled the weekend break for all schools, has been debunked by fact-checking organization Annir. The claim, first posted on November 9, 2024, at 9:00 PM Libyan time, garnered nearly 9,300 interactions and 1,500 comments. The post asserted that the Ministry had decided to make Saturdays a school day for all Libyan schools starting the following week.
Annir's investigation revealed that the claim was misleading. According to the Ministry of Education's official Facebook page, a circular issued on December 9, 2024, stated that schools that had delayed the start of the academic year due to maintenance work could use Saturdays to catch up on the lost curriculum. This measure aimed to prevent a disparity in learning between these schools and others that had started on time.
The government's electronic communication platform, "Hukumtna," also published the circular, confirming that the Ministry was instructing educational supervisors in municipalities to utilize Saturdays to compensate for the delayed start to the academic year in certain schools. The initiative was part of the Minister's directives to ensure all schools adhered to a unified academic plan and maintained equality in lessons and exams for students across all educational institutions.
The 2024-2025 academic year in Libya had been postponed by two weeks due to several educational institutions in various municipalities undergoing extensive maintenance. On September 12, 2024, the Ministry granted educational supervisors in affected municipalities the authority to delay the start of the academic year until the institutions were ready and cleared of displaced persons.
The recent clarification by the Ministry of Education and the "Hukumtna" platform aimed to dispel the confusion and misinformation that had spread rapidly on social media. By allowing only schools that were behind schedule to use Saturdays as a school day, the Ministry sought to ensure that all students received a fair and equal education.
Educational supervisors in Libyan municipalities were tasked with implementing the Ministry's directives and monitoring the academic progress of schools under their jurisdiction. This approach was designed to guarantee that all schools met the required academic standards and that students were not disadvantaged due to circumstances beyond their control.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions in Libya, particularly in maintaining a consistent and high-quality education for all students. The Ministry's efforts to address these challenges and provide a fair learning environment for all students are crucial in ensuring the country's future development and growth.
Key points
- The Libyan Ministry of Education has clarified that only schools that started the academic year late will use Saturdays as a school day to catch up on the lost curriculum.
