Changes to School Curriculum by New Syrian Authorities Raise Concerns

The new educational changes proposed by the Islamist-led Syrian government have sparked worry among activists regarding potential exclusions of diverse societal voices.

As the new academic term approaches on Sunday, the Syrian transitional government's recent changes to the school curriculum have ignited concern among various community members. The authorities, led by an Islamist faction, are altering educational content to reflect a more Islamic perspective, without widely consulting the society at large.

The education ministry's official Facebook page has released an updated curriculum for all grades, which includes modified language and the removal of topics associated with the Assad regime. For instance, subjects that previously emphasized "Defending the nation" will now refer to "Defending Allah."

Despite Education Minister Nazir al-Qadri’s assurances that these changes are mainly superficial and pending further review by specialized committees, the implications of this shift concern many parents and educators. Proposed revisions include the exclusion of topics like Evolution and the Big Bang, along with the deletion of references to pre-Islamic gods and their imagery.

Critics have expressed that the curriculum seems to erase significant historical figures such as the iconic Queen Zenobia from the educational narrative, further asserting the regime's attempts to eliminate all traces of the Assad legacy. Al-Qadri defended the moves as necessary corrections to remove content glorifying the former regime, promoting instead the Syrian revolutionary flag in educational materials.

While some segments of the population welcomed the new direction, many civil society activists—now back in Syria after years away—feel these unilateral curriculum changes signal a disregard for broader societal participation in governance. They are preparing for protests ahead of the academic term to voice their opposition to any educational modifications made without inclusion of all societal sections.

The newly established authorities have pledged their commitment to a National Dialogue Conference, engaging different communities, including Christians, Kurds, and various cultural figures, laboring to forge a consensus-driven future for Syria. However, activists argue that the abrupt changes in the educational framework undermine these claims and assert the need for democracy and respect for diverse cultural perspectives in shaping the nation’s identity.