Syrian Ruler Orders Transformation of School Curriculum
In a bold move that has sparked controversy and outrage, the Ministry of Education in Syria announced a series of sweeping reforms to the country’s national curriculum on January 1. Under the directive of the de facto ruler, the curriculum is set to shift from a nationalist to an Islamist focus, fundamentally altering the educational landscape.
Implications of the Reform
The changes will impact all levels of education and involve significant alterations to the study of religion and history. Notably, segments of Syrian history, including atrocities committed by the Ottoman Empire, will be removed from the school program. This includes erasing key events in Syrian history and eliminating content related to Syria’s historical connections with polytheistic civilizations and empires.
Furthermore, textbooks will undergo extensive editing to remove and reorganize paragraphs, alter or delete images, and eliminate any materials associated with former governments, such as Bashar al-Assad and his predecessors. Terms like “Ottoman injustice” and “brutal Ottoman rule” will be expunged, along with references to Ottoman “occupation” in Syria.
Controversial Changes and Omissions
Specific changes include the removal of references to the “Martyrs of May 6,” Arab Muslim-Christian nationalists executed by Ottoman ruler Jamal Pasha in 1916. Entire segments of Syrian history will be excised, including the period between the end of the Ottoman Empire and the election of President Shukri Quwaitli in 1943. Additionally, references to the 1973 Arab-Israeli War will be altered to a generic “war in 1973.”
The new curriculum will also exclude all mentions of pagan gods and goddesses from ancient Syrian civilization, as well as studies on Chinese philosophy and scientific theories related to evolution and brain development. Figures like Queen Zenobia of Palmyra and Khawla bint al-Azwar, a revered Muslim warrior, will be misrepresented or removed entirely.
Impact on Education and Society
These revisions aim to reshape the narrative taught to Syrian students, emphasizing a particular religious and historical perspective while erasing elements deemed unsuitable by the ruling regime. The implications of this shift extend beyond the classroom, potentially influencing societal values, identities, and perceptions of the past.
As the Syrian education system undergoes this profound transformation, the repercussions are likely to be felt for generations to come. The power to shape minds and mold beliefs through education is a potent force, capable of shaping the future trajectory of a nation. The decision to rewrite history and redefine cultural narratives carries immense weight, underscoring the significance of education as a battleground for ideological supremacy.
This controversial move raises critical questions about the role of education in shaping collective memory, the impact of historical revisionism on social cohesion, and the ethical responsibilities of governments in molding young minds. How will these changes resonate with students, teachers, and families across Syria? What narratives will be lost, distorted, or suppressed in the process of reshaping the educational landscape? The answers to these questions will unfold in the classrooms and corridors of Syrian schools, reflecting the enduring power of education to shape hearts and minds.
