Syrian Curriculum Overhaul by New Islamist Authorities Raises Alarm

As the new school term approaches, the Syrian transitional government's proposed curriculum changes have raised significant concerns among civil society activists. With a shift towards Islamic teachings and the erasure of the Assad era, the changes have triggered fears of exclusion and a lack of input from diverse societal voices.

As Syria approaches the start of the new school term this Sunday, the news of substantial changes to the school curriculum proposed by the Islamist-led transitional government has sparked alarm among various sectors of society. Critics highlight that these changes, introduced without broad societal consultations, may signal a concerning trend regarding community involvement in the new government's plans.

The Education Ministry under the transitional government has recently disclosed the new curriculum, which appears to implement a more Islamic perspective while omitting significant elements from the Assad era. For instance, the phrase "Defending the nation" has been altered to "Defending Allah," indicating a potentially drastic shift in educational focus. Moreover, fundamental scientific concepts such as Evolution and the Big Bang theory are reportedly being removed from the curriculum.

In addition to excluding academic content, references to pre-Islamic deities and images of their statues are also being removed. Furthermore, there seems to be a conscious effort to diminish the legacy of historical figures, such as Queen Zenobia, whose significance has been notably downplayed. The former ruling Assad family has likewise been largely erased from the educational landscape, with related content being excised from Arabic literature and language courses.

While Education Minister Nazir al-Qadri claims that the curriculum remains fundamentally unchanged pending the results of a comprehensive review by specialized committees, activists are skeptical. The education minister’s insistence on removing material that glorifies the previous regime has raised eyebrows among those wary of unilateral decisions.

Upon hearing about these curriculum adjustments, a faction of the Syrian populace expressed apprehension, believing that such changes could threaten the inclusive vision purported by the new authorities. Calls for protests have already emerged, as activists seek to oppose changes to the education system and governmental structures without input from diverse community representatives.

Despite the transitional government's efforts to engage various community groups through initiatives like a National Dialogue Conference, dissenters argue that unilateral actions like the curriculum overhaul undermine those intentions. Activists firmly believe that the values of freedom and inclusivity—fought for during the uprising against Bashar al-Assad—must be preserved, and they are determined to take a stand against any encroachments on these foundational principles at the outset of the new educational term.