Syria's recently implemented school curriculum has generated significant concern amongst parents and educators throughout the country. The revised educational framework has eliminated secular historical content, reduced scientific theoretical material, and incorporated additional Islamic religious instruction. Parents across Syria are expressing apprehension that these educational modifications might potentially constrain their children's capacity for critical reasoning and inadequately prepare them for participation in an increasingly interconnected global society.
According to Nizar Abdelkader, a Syrian educational researcher: "The new curriculum represents a fundamental shift in Syria's educational philosophy, moving from a relatively secular approach to one that prioritises religious instruction over scientific enquiry."
Whilst educational restructuring is inevitably necessary in any evolving society, numerous stakeholders maintain that alterations of such magnitude should first involve comprehensive consultation with the broader community, including teachers, educational specialists, and parental representatives. The contentious nature of these changes raises profound questions regarding Syrian students' future academic prospects and their ability to engage meaningfully with international perspectives and contemporary global challenges.
According to Dr Sarah Willcox, Director of Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge University: "Educational reforms that significantly reduce scientific and secular content may create knowledge gaps that could disadvantage students in higher education and global employment markets."
The long-term implications of these curricular modifications remain uncertain, particularly regarding how they might influence Syrian youth's capacity to develop the diverse intellectual tools necessary for navigating an increasingly complex world.
Syrian Government School Curriculum Changes
While Syrian students prepare for another school year, they'll be opening textbooks that look markedly different from previous editions. The new government has implemented sweeping curriculum changes across all school levels, replacing content that glorified the former Assad regime. These modifications touch on history, religion, and science subjects, with notable removals including references to pre-Islamic gods and love poetry.
Historical education has undergone significant transformation. The term "Ottoman occupation" has been removed, and historical narratives now align more with Islamic perspectives. Chinese philosophical thought has vanished from textbooks, whilst Syria's revolutionary stories take centre stage.
Syria's revised history books drop "Ottoman occupation," embrace Islamic narratives, and spotlight revolutionary heroes while erasing Chinese philosophy.
In science classrooms, entire chapters that were once standard have disappeared. Evolution theory and the Big Bang have been eliminated from biology and astronomy lessons, raising concerns about scientific literacy. Parents worry these omissions will disadvantage students in a world where scientific understanding is essential.
Religious education now replaces national education, with increased emphasis on Islamic teachings. References to Christians and Jews have been explicitly added to Islamic texts, prompting fears about religious tolerance and coexistence. The changes were largely driven by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group that overthrew Assad's regime in December 2024.
The public outcry is intensifying as the school term approaches. Educators and activists question why a caretaker government without clear mandate would rush such drastic alterations. Critics argue these changes should await broader societal consensus.
The long-term effects could reshape Syrian society. There's genuine concern that emphasising religious narratives while erasing secular ones might undermine national unity. As children study these new materials, they're absorbing perspectives that will influence their worldview for generations to come.