Outrage Over Curriculum Revisions Highlights Syria's Fragile Unity

 Although relative peace and stability have prevailed after the collapse of the Assad regime, the suggested educational reforms have raised concerns about the country's new Islamist leadership.

Jan. 4, 2025, 4:00 PM GMT+6

In the rush to redefine Syria's future, it is perhaps unsurprising that the nation's classrooms are revealing fractures in its delicate unity.

Widespread controversy erupted after Syria's new leadership unveiled plans to overhaul the country’s education curriculum. For those wary of the rebel factions that ousted Bashar al-Assad’s regime last month, the proposed changes raised concerns that an Islamist agenda might be taking root in schools and society at large.

The education ministry announced the planned revisions on Facebook on the first day of the new year, sharing a 16-page document outlining modifications to the curriculum.

Some of the proposed changes were predictable, such as the removal of references to the deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad and his late father, Hafez al-Assad.

However, other changes provoked a swift backlash. Notably, references to the pre-Islamic queen of Palmyra, Queen Zenobia, were set to be eliminated, as well as mentions of pre-Islamic deities from the high school curriculum. Additionally, in the third-grade Islamic education textbook, the phrase “the brave one who defends the homeland” was to be altered to “for the sake of Allah.”

These announcements ignited widespread concern.

“It makes sense to remove glorification of the fallen regime, but erasing historical facts and struggles of our people, and modifying subjects irrationally, is a troubling sign,” Syrian writer and human rights activist Rima Flihan commented on Facebook.

Flihan, a former member of the Syrian National Coalition, expressed concern about what the changes might indicate for the future, especially for Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities who had been cautiously hopeful since Assad’s ousting. The education ministry responded the following day, clarifying that the curricula would remain largely “unchanged,” pending review by specialized committees.

It was unclear whether this clarification was a reaction to the public uproar. “It was a hasty decision, and they backed away from it,” said Syrian researcher Hossam Jazmati, suggesting that the government had acted too quickly.

Education Minister Nazir al-Qadri emphasized that the changes made were simply the removal of certain paragraphs, not a complete revision. He stated, "The curricula remain unchanged, and those who analyze the modifications will see that there is no issue with the changes." Al-Qadri explained that only content glorifying the former regime had been deleted and assured that any substantial amendments would only occur once the situation in Syria stabilized.

Syria’s current de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group responsible for overthrowing Assad’s regime, has committed to creating a more inclusive society. However, the group's extremist history, and Sharaa's own controversial past, have fueled skepticism about whether these promises will materialize. His interim government is also focused on gaining international support to lift the sanctions that have crippled Syria since Assad’s rule.

Jazmati, a commentator on Sharaa’s leadership, suggested that the curriculum controversy reflected the "great chaos" at the top of Syria’s new leadership. With the Assad regime’s sudden collapse, Jazmati noted that the rebel leadership now faces enormous and unanticipated responsibilities. "There is constant adaptation and a great deal of experimentation," he said, acknowledging the challenges they face in restructuring the country after a decade of civil war.

The extent to which Syria’s new leadership consulted with the country's diverse communities before announcing these educational changes is unclear. Given the rapid pace of the new government’s reforms, Jazmati speculated that consultation was likely minimal.

As Sharaa juggles the daunting task of rebuilding a war-torn nation while representing Syria internationally—he met with foreign ministers from Germany and France on Friday—the scrutiny over his past ties to jihadist groups like the Islamic State and Al Qaeda complicates his efforts.

Whether Sharaa can fulfill his vision for Syria remains uncertain, and the way textbooks are rewritten may provide a glimpse of what the future holds.