Data Visualization

Blog of the Data Visualization & Communication Course at OSB-AUB

“This is my favorite part about analytics: Taking boring flat data and bringing it to life through visualization” John Tukey

The Educational Equity in Lebanon: A Right or a Privilege?

The Educational Equity in Lebanon: A Right or a Privilege?

by | Apr 26, 2022 | Uncategorized

Contributors: Bothaina Amro, Serge Boyajian, Nora Chidiac, Majd El Masri, Zainab Hodroj, Lea Zaarour

The Lebanese economic crisis has affected the country on all levels: Financial, industrial, commercial, and educational. Education is an important metric to measure a country’s development future and the fate of its citizens and economy. Countries compete on literacy rates which lead to higher economic growth and development. The project tackles Lebanon’s main source of inequity in education starting from trend comparison and assessment, main problem to solution. Unfortunately, Lebanon shows an imbalance in terms of allocation of funding for education between different governorates and districts. As a result of this imbalance, Mount Lebanon governorate ranked first in term of literacy of its residents while Baalbek-Al Hermel and Akkar governorates ranked last. Therefore, 3 datasets were collected from IMPACT (‘لمستوى التعليمي’, ‘الموارد التعليمية’, ‘تطلعات القطاع التعليمي’) to determine which governorate is in most need of educational initiatives. A detailed consolidated dashboard was created to visualize the big picture and main concepts derived from each of the datasets. As a result, Mount Lebanon, the governorate with the most educational initiatives and top literacy of residents rank, reported the most educational institutes and a low illiteracy and drop-out rate. On the other hand, Akkar and Baalbek-Hermel, two governorates in which the sum of the educational initiatives implemented is less than that of Mount Lebanon, reported the highest illiteracy and drop-out rate. This shows that educational initiatives and educational literacy are positively correlated. Henceforth, the Lebanese government must focus on shifting funds allocation between governorates and implementing educational initiatives in governorates in need, such as Akkar and Baalbek-Hermel, without neglecting other governorates.
In this project, the focus is on the educational sector’s performance during the tough conditions that the country is facing. As the parliamentary elections are near in Lebanon, this report will spread awareness on the educational sector’s need and how it can be improved.

The Lebanese Economic Crisis, 2022

The Lebanese Economic Crisis, 2022

by | Apr 15, 2022 | Uncategorized

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?”

Lebanon, a Small Country with Huge Worries

If you’re reading this blog, you are more privileged than 78% of the Lebanese population! The United Nations stated that 78% live under the line of poverty in 2021. Let me walk you through all the evidences and solution. GDP per capita is a perfect metric to measure the economic conditions of a country’s citizens: Lebanon’s GDP per capita plunged to a negative 21% growth in 2020. However, a bigger problem looms over Lebanon: It is far from being able to meet the UN’s 2030 Agenda, more specifically, section 8 related to economic factors. Section 8.1.1 in the 2030 Agenda requires all countries to sustain a 7% GDP per capita growth.

How can Lebanon Catch Up?

The answer is straightforward: Secure Foreign Funds! To secure such funds from international institutions like the IMF or World Bank, the Lebanese Government should implement quick local economic reforms.

The secured funds will then be used to transform Lebanon from a major importer to a major exporter. The funds must be invested in local production, tourism and domestic spending (infrastructure). This can definitely boost Lebanon’s GDP among several other reforms in different sectors.

Is it Really a Good Idea?

Many people are skeptical on borrowing from international institutions like the IMF due to the severity of their rules. However, let’s take Egypt as an example: Egypt increased IMF borrowings by 1,500% from 2015 till 2020 (yup, you read right, no additional zeros). The Egyptian government spent the funds on enforcing its local production and improving the tourism sector. As a result, Egypt met the UN’s Agenda 2030 economic goals and especially goal 8.1.1 (GDP per capita growth > 7%).


Recommendation

The one and only recommendation is for the Lebanese government: Implement the needed reforms, secure the foreign funds, invest them wisely and save Lebanon from the catastrophe!