Syria's Education Ministry Reveals Major Changes to School Curriculum Amid New Leadership

On Wednesday, Syria's education ministry unveiled a list of proposed changes to the nation's school curriculum, signaling a shift under the leadership of Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani. Since the December ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad by Syrian rebels led by al-Julani’s organization, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an offshoot of al-Qaeda, the country's political landscape has shifted, and these educational changes reflect that transformation.

The proposed curriculum updates include significant ideological revisions. For example, the term "path of goodness" is set to be replaced with "Islamic path," while the phrase “those who are damned and have gone astray” will now specifically refer to "Jews and Christians." Other changes include redefining "martyr" to mean someone who sacrifices themselves "for the sake of God" and altering "defending the nation" to "defending Allah."

Additional revisions will remove references to the deposed Assad regime and its leadership, with any mentions of the former president or his family omitted. The curriculum will also present a shift in the depiction of the Ottoman Empire, changing "Ottoman Occupation" to "Ottoman Administration" and eliminating references to the 1916 mass execution of Arab nationalists under Ottoman rule.

While Education Minister Nazir al-Qadri assured the public that the curriculum would remain unchanged until specialized committees could review the proposed revisions, responses have been mixed. Mar Boutros Qassis, the archbishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Aleppo, expressed concern about the ideological nature of the amendments, saying, "There have been changes related to the Assad regime…which are understandable, however, there have also been amendments that interfere with the Islamic ideology of society and education."

The Political Landscape and Syria's New Leadership

Abu Mohammad al-Julani's rise to power comes amidst significant geopolitical shifts. Al-Julani has urged the United States to pressure Israel to retreat from Syria's buffer zone, including Mount Hermon, although Israeli authorities have not officially received any communication on the matter. Despite his public requests, al-Julani emphasized Syria's desire for peace, with Damascus’ new governor, Maher Marwan, stating that Syria bears "no animosity" towards Israel and aims for coexistence.

US-Syria Relations and Prospects for Recognition

In a sign of changing dynamics, reports suggest that the Biden administration is considering formally recognizing Syria’s new government, led by al-Julani. A recent US delegation met with the new leader, and al-Julani assured officials that his forces would not interfere with Christian religious observances, such as Christmas.

In a parallel development, Israel has continued its operations in Syria under the code name "Operation Heavy Roads," focused on ensuring the country's security. This week, the IDF carried out a raid on an Iranian missile facility in Syria, reinforcing its strategic interests in the region.

As Syria’s education system undergoes a transformation under new leadership, the ideological shift signals a broader change in the nation's political and social fabric. With the curriculum alterations and potential US recognition of the new government, Syria’s future remains uncertain, yet these developments are pivotal in understanding the country’s trajectory in the coming years.