Syria's New Authorities: Conservative Drift in Education Curriculum

• Syria's new authorities, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, have implemented a conservative overhaul of the national school curriculum.
• Textbook changes include the removal of the "Mona Lisa," images of dancing, and ancient Syrian statues, alongside the introduction of more religiously conservative imagery.
• The Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-se) describes these revisions as a "far-reaching ideological transformation" towards an Islamist and Sunni-centered framework.
• Human rights activist Michal Shammas criticized the changes, calling for adherence to educational standards, critical thinking, and respect for diversity.
• These educational shifts are part of broader post-Assad cultural changes, including stricter dress codes and alcohol restrictions, signaling a significant ideological reorientation of the state.

Lawyers advising clients on Syrian affairs should closely monitor these cultural and educational changes.

Syria's educational landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by a conservative drift in its school curriculum under the new authorities. Recent revisions to official textbooks have sparked considerable criticism, particularly after Syrian journalist Mohammad Salloum brought them to light last week, referencing a report from the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-se).

Among the notable alterations confirmed by AFP, an image of Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" was entirely removed from a seventh-grade history textbook. Similarly, illustrations depicting people dancing were excised from sixth-grade social affairs textbooks. In a third-grade social studies textbook, images of statues representing ancient Syrian civilizations were also removed. These changes are part of a broader effort to reshape educational content following the ousting of Bashar Assad.

Further examples of this ideological shift include the redrawing of an illustration in one book to show girls wearing hijabs gathered around a computer, replacing a previous depiction. In a fourth-grade Islamic education textbook, illustrations of individuals in Western attire were substituted with two distinct drawings: one featuring two men in traditional robes and another showing two women wearing niqabs. Social media and local news platforms have also highlighted instances such as a pharaonic bust being depicted with a modern shirt and the aforementioned girls-at-computer illustration now featuring hijabs, underscoring the pervasive nature of these revisions.

These curriculum adjustments are unfolding as Syria's new Islamist authorities, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, endeavor to guide the nation forward after 13 years of civil conflict and decades of authoritarian rule. Al-Sharaa's administration, which assumed power after toppling longtime ruler Bashar Assad in December 2024, has implemented several conservative measures beyond education, including the imposition of stricter dress codes for beaches and restrictions on alcohol sales. Additionally, some universities have begun limiting certain courses exclusively to men.

While the Assad family's rule was nominally secular, it was characterized by severe abuses against those who challenged its authority, particularly individuals perceived as Islamists. In contrast, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who once led an al-Qaida affiliate and whose Islamist group spearheaded the alliance that overthrew Assad, has since cultivated a more moderate public image as Syria's head of state. This shift in leadership and governance is now visibly influencing the country's cultural and educational policies.

The education ministry, in a statement issued on Monday, indicated that the curriculum changes were designed to "remove symbols of the defunct regime and its ideological content, and correcting images and content connected to it." This follows earlier revisions made last year, primarily in primary school subjects such as social studies, Islamic education, history, and geography, which focused on eliminating symbols associated with the Baath Party that had governed Syria for decades. However, the current wave of changes extends far beyond mere political symbolism.

The IMPACT-se report asserts that the new Syrian school curriculum demonstrates a "far-reaching ideological transformation that extends well beyond routine pedagogical adjustments." The report further elaborates that these textbook amendments, across various subjects and grade levels, collectively aim to reconfigure national identity, historical memory, civic values, and regional positioning through what appears to be a consolidated Islamist and Sunni-centered framework. This assessment highlights the profound nature of the changes, suggesting a fundamental reorientation of the country's educational philosophy.

Michal Shammas, a lawyer and human rights activist, has voiced concerns regarding these developments, advocating for a curriculum revision based on "educational and scientific standards." Shammas emphasized the importance of strengthening critical thinking skills and fostering respect for diversity within the educational system. He also pointed out significant alterations related to the Ottoman period, specifically noting that references to the 1916 execution of Syrian nationalists in Damascus now portray those killed as "agents and conspirators," a stark contrast to their previous characterization as "martyrs." This reinterpretation of historical events aligns with the current administration's close relationship with Turkey.

The ongoing debate over the religiously conservative country's direction in the post-Assad era is underscored by this curriculum controversy, which follows earlier changes implemented in universities. The extensive nature of these revisions, from art history to historical narratives, indicates a concerted effort to instill a particular ideological perspective in the next generation, reflecting the Islamist influence now shaping public policy.

The conservative drift evident in Syria's education curriculum and broader cultural changes signals a significant ideological shift in the nation's governance. This transformation is likely to influence future legal and regulatory frameworks, potentially impacting human rights considerations and altering the operating environment for international organizations or businesses with interests in the country. The redefinition of national identity and civic values through state-controlled education can have long-term consequences for social cohesion and individual freedoms.

Lawyers advising clients on Syrian affairs should closely monitor these cultural and educational changes. They serve as crucial indicators of broader policy directions and the evolving legal landscape under Ahmed al-Sharaa's administration. Understanding the underlying ideological shifts, such as the increasing Syrian school curriculum Islamist influence, is essential for anticipating regulatory developments, assessing risks, and navigating the complex political and social environment in post-Assad Syria. The reinterpretation of history and the promotion of specific religious and social norms through textbooks are not merely academic matters but reflect fundamental changes in state ideology that will inevitably translate into new laws and enforcement practices.

This development signals a significant ideological shift in Syria's governance, which could influence future legal and regulatory frameworks, human rights considerations, and the operating environment for international organizations or businesses with interests in the country. Lawyers advising clients on Syrian affairs should monitor these cultural and educational changes as indicators of broader policy directions.

Source: Original reporting via Agence France-Presse