Best Practices for Education Funding

President of International College Dr. Tobin Wait kicked off the podcast on November 4th. IC’s Director of Outreach Richard Bampfylde joined Dr. Wait in IC’s Audio Room on the Ras Beirut campus. IC’s President was able to share the ‘why’ behind this new initiative, in support of Lebanon’s education sector. Qualitative research will support an education funding research and policy paper by summer 2027 and the series aims to help galvanise financial support for students in the country and region. Dr. Wait shared the school’s Mission, Vision, Theme and Values and emphasised the IC Board of Trustees’ stewardship of IC, especially so during such a turbulent period in its 125-year history. He shared the new direction for IC Outreach, including comprehensive support of 12 Ministry-selected public schools aiming for IB PYP authorisation. Dr. Wait also went into detail on IC’s pivot, under the leadership of the Board, to renewable energy (solar in particular) and raised awareness on the increasingly important role of Wellbeing on campus and within the community. The Positivity Project’s 24 Character Traits include ‘Other People Matter’, a code all community members aim to live by each and every day. 

Up next: A deeper dive into these 3Es from the World Bank’s study on education funding as well as a look at the historical perspective and the difficult decisions education leaders must take (including trade offs) when aiming to equitably, effectively and efficiently allocate financial resources, including a look into the PYP candidacy journey for these public schools. 

Episode abbreviations:

CAS - Creativity, Activity, Service 

ESD - Education for Sustainable Development 

IB - International Baccalaureate

MEHE - Ministry of Education & Higher Education

OPM - Other People Matter

PYP - Primary Years Programme 

In the first episode of The Education Funding Best Practices, IC President Dr. Tobin I. Wait opens the conversation on education funding in Lebanon and the wider Arab region. Watch this space for the full episode, coming soon.