Changes in the content of Syrian textbooks, especially after the rise of the new Islamic government led by Ahmad al-Shara'a, have generated significant criticism and reactions. These changes, which come after 13 years of civil war and decades of authoritarian rule in the country, indicate a profound ideological shift in the Syrian education system.
Removal of Images and Content Changes
In the latest actions, images including the famous Mona Lisa have been removed from the seventh-grade history book. Additionally, images of iconic statues from ancient Syrian civilizations have been removed from the third-grade social studies books. In other textbooks, images of people wearing Western clothing have been replaced with images of men and women in traditional attire.
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These changes gained attention especially after Muhammad Salem, a Syrian journalist, published a report on these issues. Reactions to these changes have been widespread on social media and local media, with images of the changes in textbooks being shared.
Reactions to Educational Changes
The Syrian Ministry of Education, in response to the criticisms, stated that the aim of these changes is to "remove symbols of the previous regime and its ideological content" and "revise images and related content." However, human rights activists and lawyers like Mikhal Shamas have called for a review of educational content based on "educational and scientific standards" and for the promotion of critical thinking and respect for cultural diversity.
Meanwhile, some universities in Syria have recently restricted certain courses to men, and a prestigious school in Damascus has also decided to separate male and female students. These actions have faced widespread criticism from opponents and are seen as a sign of the rise of religious conservatism in Syrian society.
The al-Shara'a government, which has close ties with Turkey, continues to implement ideological changes in the education system despite ongoing criticism regarding his past leadership of the Al-Qaeda branch in Syria. These developments reflect the new government's efforts to redefine national identity and civic values within an Islamic and Sunni framework.
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