Finnish education worldwide

Finnish education in Lebanon

Lebanon has one of the region's most diverse private school sectors, with French, British, American and IB curricula all well established. Here is how Finnish pedagogy compares, and where it has already started to appear.

In brief

Lebanon's private international school sector is large and diverse, historically shaped by French, British and American curricula alongside the IB.
Arabic is the main language of instruction in most Lebanese schools, with maths and science generally taught in French or English from the early years.
Elementary education in Lebanon runs six years across two three-year cycles, with the first eight years of schooling compulsory by law.
Goodwill International School in Mount Lebanon has introduced Finnish-inspired practices centred on social and emotional learning and project-based learning, alongside Lebanon's existing curriculum structure.

Lebanon's multilingual, multi-curriculum system

Few countries in the region offer as much curriculum choice as Lebanon, where French, British, American and IB programmes all compete for the same families, often within bilingual or trilingual schools. Arabic carries most subjects, while maths and science are commonly taught in French or English from kindergarten onward, a structure set out in Lebanese education law.

Where Finnish pedagogy is already appearing

Goodwill International School, in Atchaneh, Mount Lebanon, describes itself as the first school in the country to bring Finnish practices into its teaching, built around two pillars: social and emotional learning and project-based learning. This sits within, rather than replacing, Lebanon's existing multilingual curriculum structure.

For other Lebanese schools, Finnish pedagogy would work the same way: phenomenon-based learning and lighter, more formative assessment layered onto whichever national or international curriculum the school already delivers.

What it would mean for a school considering it

A Lebanese school exploring Finnish pedagogy beyond what Goodwill International School has already done would typically look at OPPI's affiliation model, training teachers and phasing the approach in through the early primary grades first, while keeping its existing curriculum for certification.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Finnish curriculum school in Lebanon?

Goodwill International School in Mount Lebanon has introduced Finnish-inspired practices, focused on social and emotional learning and project-based learning, though most Lebanese schools still run French, British, American or IB curricula.

Does Finnish pedagogy replace a school's existing curriculum in Lebanon?

No. It is typically introduced as a teaching approach layered onto the school's existing curriculum, rather than a replacement for it.

How does Finnish pedagogy compare with the IB in Lebanon?

Both value inquiry and less exam-heavy assessment, though the IB is a structured, externally assessed programme while Finnish pedagogy is a broader teaching philosophy. See Finnish pedagogy vs international schools.

Bring Finnish pedagogy to your school

OPPI affiliates a selective cohort of schools each year for its K-5 Finnish-pedagogy programme, backed by Education Finland. Tell us about your school and our team will reach out.

Backed by Education Finland. Over 20 schools have already affiliated, including DPS, Radcliffe and Sanctus. Places in each cohort are limited.

Apply to the affiliation cohort →