Amid controversy, the caretaker government in Syria has introduced revised school textbooks, sparking outrage among parents, educators, and human rights groups. The changes affect all Syrian schools, focusing on history, religion, and science curricula.
The Education Ministry announced the revisions following the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, led by the Islamist-led rebel offensive. Key changes include removing content “glorifying” the former regime, its leaders, symbols, and the Baath party. These modifications aim to revise subjects such as history, religion, and science, including references to women, love, pre-Islamic gods, and human evolution.
Critics argue that these amendments contradict the principles of inclusive governance and national unity. Fadwa, a mother of two schoolchildren in Damascus, expressed disappointment over the revisions, stating that erasing history is “just wrong.” Experts point out that the caretaker government, dominated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist militant group, has pledged to establish an inclusive transitional government but its actions on the ground contradict these claims.
The Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights warns that such amendments pose a danger to religious coexistence in Syria. The Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma notes that the revised textbooks are moving towards an Islamist interpretation of Syrian history, sparking concerns about the future of education in the country.
As the caretaker government faces growing criticism, Minister of Education Nazir al-Qadri defended the revisions, stating that they aim to correct incorrect information and promote a more accurate understanding of Islamic education. However, many remain skeptical, fearing that these changes will have long-term implications for the education process in Syria.
Source: https://www.voanews.com/a/amendments-to-school-textbooks-by-syria-s-new-authorities-draw-outcry/7922467.html