Research article    |    Open Access
International Journal of Educational Researchers 2025, Vol. 16(2) 1-30

Educational Loss among Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities during COVID-19 in Lebanon

Ali El Ahmad

pp. 1 - 30   |  DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijer.2025.1320.1

Publish Date: June 30, 2025  |   Single/Total View: 0/0   |   Single/Total Download: 0/0


Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic affected various industries, including education, around the world. Students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) were disproportionally affected by school closures during the pandemic, leading to considerable educational setbacks. This study aims to explore the educational loss among students with SEND during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon through a phenomenological research design. Data were collected using maximum variation purposive sampling from 6 inclusive teachers (IT) and 5 inclusive school principals (ISP) selected from 9 schools across Lebanon’s 8 governorates through semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed that students with SEND experienced significant educational loss across learning, social, psychological, and physical dimensions, with variations in the scope and extent of the impact. To address this loss, schools used 5 key strategies. Three focused on academics, while the other 2 aimed at social, psychological, and physical recovery. This study offers recommendations for policy makers and practitioners, highlights limitations, and suggests directions for future research.

Keywords: Educational loss, Learning loss, Special educational needs, Disabilities, COVID-19


How to Cite this Article?

APA 7th edition
Ahmad, A.E. (2025). Educational Loss among Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities during COVID-19 in Lebanon. International Journal of Educational Researchers, 16(2), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijer.2025.1320.1

Harvard
Ahmad, A. (2025). Educational Loss among Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities during COVID-19 in Lebanon. International Journal of Educational Researchers, 16(2), pp. 1-30.

Chicago 16th edition
Ahmad, Ali El (2025). "Educational Loss among Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities during COVID-19 in Lebanon". International Journal of Educational Researchers 16 (2):1-30. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijer.2025.1320.1

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