The announcement of changes to Syria’s education curriculum, published on the Ministry of Education’s official Facebook page on January 1, has triggered widespread criticism.
The 12-page list of proposed changes is seen by skeptics as a sign of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leaders, who overthrew the Assad regime last month, intending to impose an Islamist agenda on the nation’s schools.
The controversy stems from the historical and religious revisions in the curriculum, which now reflect an ultra-conservative interpretation of a Quranic verse. Entire chapters have also been removed, including sections on evolution and pre-Islamic gods.
The Syrian Ministry of Education stated that the changes would apply to students from grades 1 to 12 (ages 6–18) in the 2025 academic year.
The Ministry clarified the day after the curriculum was announced that it would remain largely “unchanged” – at least until a specialized committee could be formed to review and revise the proposals. It is still unclear whether this announcement was a response to mounting public anger.
These curriculum changes raise doubts about whether Syria’s interim leader, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, head of HTS, will fulfill his promises to rebuild Syria as an inclusive, representative society.
Revisions as islamist indoctrination
Most changes to Syria’s education curriculum, published by the Ministry of Education, focus on removing references to the former regime of President Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad.
Sections that glorified their leadership have been removed, and images of the Assad regime’s flag have been replaced with the Syrian revolution’s flag. These changes have been widely welcomed by Syrians.
The public criticism centers on the historical and religious revisions, which opponents argue are intended to impose an Islamist agenda on students.
For instance, the phrase “path of goodness” in the curriculum has been altered to “the Islamic path,” while “those who are damned and astray” has been rephrased as “Jews and Christians,” reflecting an ultra-conservative interpretation of a Quranic verse.
Additionally, the definition of a “martyr” has shifted from someone who dies for their homeland to someone who “sacrifices their life for Allah.” This change is found in a third-grade Islamic studies textbook.
“I reject the new curriculum. It may lead to the erasure of large parts of the country’s history and push towards another religion,” says 29-year-old Syrian Alaa Mohammed Amin Asaad to Beirut Today.
Entire chapters have also been removed from the school curriculum, including a section on evolution. The same applies to references to Queen Zenobia, a prominent figure from the Roman era and the ancient city of Palmyra, as well as mentions and depictions of pre-Islamic deities.
The criticism of the Ottoman Empire has been softened, with textbooks now referring to it as an “administration” rather than an occupying force. This change may reflect the Ottomans’ role in spreading Islam or the strategic ties between Syria’s new leadership and Turkey.
The new government has also faced criticism for implementing these changes without consulting other societal groups. Many argue that such extensive reforms should wait for a new constitution and an elected government.
“Making a mess in education is absolutely unacceptable,” writes Facebook user Maribelle Haddad, whose comment has garnered 2.2 thousand likes.
However, HTS leader Al-Jolani has stated that elections to form a new government could take up to four years to organize. It remains unclear how the current interim government plans to transfer power in March 2025, as previously announced.
Major obstacles ahead for Al-Jolani
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani faces the daunting task of leading a country devastated by years of dictatorship and civil war, while also representing Syria’s new leadership on the international stage.
Among his goals is persuading Western countries to lift sanctions previously imposed on the Assad regime. Last week, he met with the foreign ministers of Germany and France in the first significant European visit.
The changes to the school curriculum highlight how the country’s rebel leadership is trying to maintain power while transforming the nation through a process marked by trial and error.
However, given Al-Jolani’s controversial past as a jihadist leader with links to both Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, critics’ skepticism about the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham regime’s intention to impose an Islamist agenda on the nation’s schools may be difficult for HTS to justify.
The group itself emerged from the Jabhat al-Nusra, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, raising doubts about whether Al-Jolani and his government can truly distance themselves from their extremist history.
Questions remain about whether Al-Jolani can fulfill his promises to rebuild Syria as an inclusive and representative society.
The government is continually challenged to adapt, but Al-Jolani’s true vision for Syria – and whether he can achieve it – remains unclear.
The nation’s new school curriculum may offer a glimpse into that vision.