Syria’s new government is facing backlash after announcing changes to the school curriculum, including the introduction of what some critics say is an Islamic slant to teaching in the country.
The changes, published in a list on the Syrian Ministry of Education’s official Facebook page, include changing the phrases “path of kindness” to “Islamic path” and “those who are condemned and have strayed from the path” to “Jews and Christians” – which refers to an ultra-conservative interpretation of a verse from the Quran, the holy book of Islam.
A statement issued on behalf of Education Minister Nazir Mohammad al-Qadri said the ministry “only instructed the removal of content that glorified the deposed Assad regime and replaced images of the regime’s flag with images of the flag of the Syrian revolution in all textbooks.”
The changes also redefine the word “martyr”, from someone who died for the country, to someone who sacrificed themselves “in the name of God”.
The list shows that some chapters were removed entirely, including one on “the origins and evolution of life”.
It is not yet clear whether the changes are already in effect, but they would apply to all students aged 6 to 18.
Although some changes rejecting the regime of deposed president Bashar al-Assad were well received by those who reacted on the networks, the changes in the religious chapter generated outrage on social networks.
The newly appointed minister took office in December after Assad was toppled by rebels led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a group that emerged from a former al Qaeda affiliate.
Leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has been trying to move HTS away from al Qaeda in recent weeks, promoting a new government based on tolerance and inclusion.
Before being deposed, Assad led the Baath, a secular and nationalist party that had held power in Syria since a coup d’état in 1963.
Outrage on social media
On social media, some users questioned why an interim government is making changes to the curriculum, while others rejected what they see as attempts to “erase” parts of the country’s history.
“The current government is provisional and does not have the right to make these changes to curricula,” commented a user on the ministry’s Facebook post. “Curriculums must be changed in line with the new constitution.”
Others criticized what they saw as an Islamic slant in some of the language.
Amid the backlash, the ministry sought to alleviate the changes by stating that “the curricula in all schools in Syria remain unchanged until specialized committees are formed to review and audit them.”
The ministry also stated that the announcement referred to the correction of certain “inaccuracies” that were present in the Islamic educational curriculum during the Assad regime, “such as the erroneous interpretation of some verses of the Quran”.
The new education minister has previously stated that Syria’s school curricula will not be changed beyond removing references to the former Baath regime.
In an interview with Reuters in December, al-Qadri reported that both Islamic and Christian religions will continue to be taught as subjects in school, and that primary schools will remain mixed between boys and girls.
According to him, secondary education will remain largely segregated, just as it was during the Assad government.
The HTS-led cabinet is expected to act as an interim government until the country holds elections, which interim leader Al-Sharaa previously announced could take up to four years to happen.
It remains unclear how the interim government will transfer power, after previously saying it would only hold office until March 2025.
This content was originally published in Syria changes school curriculum and causes outrage due to “Islamic inclination” on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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