Syria’s new government has sparked controversy with its proposed changes to the school curriculum, which some critics believe lean towards an Islamist perspective. The amendments, shared on the education ministry’s official Facebook page, include altering phrases such as “path of goodness” to “Islamic path” and “those who have are damned and have gone astray” to “Jews and Christians,” reflecting an ultra-conservative interpretation of the Quran. Additionally, the definition of “martyr” has been revised to refer to someone who sacrificed themselves “for the sake of God,” rather than for the homeland. Certain chapters, including one on “the origins and evolution of life,” have been entirely removed.
While some online reactions welcomed changes distancing from the former President Assad’s regime, there has been strong backlash against the religious chapter modifications on social media. The new ministry, following Assad’s removal by rebels led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), has been criticized for these alterations, with concerns raised about erasing parts of the country’s history. Some questioned the authority of the interim government to make curriculum changes, while others voiced opposition to what they perceived as an Islamist bias in the language.
In response to the criticism, the ministry emphasized that the school curricula in Syria remain unchanged for now, pending the formation of specialized committees to review and revise them. Education Minister Nazir Mohammad al-Qadri clarified that the amendments were primarily focused on removing content glorifying the deposed Assad regime and replacing regime symbols with those of the Syrian revolution. The ministry aimed to rectify inaccuracies in the Islamic education curriculum from the previous era, specifically addressing misinterpretations of Quranic verses.
Despite assurances that the changes are limited to removing references to the Baath party, concerns persist about the direction of the educational reforms. The new education minister affirmed that both Islamic and Christian teachings would continue in schools, and primary education would remain coeducational while secondary education would largely be segregated, as it was during Assad’s rule.
The HTS-led government is serving as an interim administration until elections can be held, a process that may take several years according to leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. The transition of power from the caretaker government remains uncertain.
Shortly after announcing that it would retain its position until March 2025, CNN received additional insights from Mostafa Salem. Stay updated with the latest CNN news and newsletters by signing up at CNN.com.
