Educational Crisis in Northern Syria: Shortage of School Books
In northern Syria, a severe shortage of school books is creating significant challenges for students, teachers, and parents as the new academic year begins. Ahmed Abdullah, a teacher in Idlib, reported that the absence of essential educational materials is hampering the learning process, forcing educators to rely on blackboards for lessons. This method not only prolongs the teaching time but also delays the completion of the curriculum, which is critical for the foundational educational stages of young students.
The situation is expected to worsen as the number of students in northern Syria is projected to reach 600,000 this year. Ammar Al-Awad, Assistant Head of the Educational Guidance Department at the Idlib Education Directorate, explained that the influx of students, including returnees from abroad and dropouts re-enrolling, has exacerbated the demand for educational resources. He highlighted that last year's academic year ended without sufficient books, leaving a backlog that is now impacting the current school year.
Urgent Need for Support in Education
The challenges faced by the educational sector in Idlib are not just logistical; they also pose a risk to the psychological well-being of students and teachers alike. Hassan Al-Agha, an Arabic language teacher, emphasized that the lack of books undermines the entire educational process, leading to potential student dropouts and a rise in illiteracy. He warned that the absence of proper educational materials could result in a generation of students feeling inadequate and disengaged from their studies.
Parents like Maher al-Hassan, who live in camps, struggle to afford the high prices of books at private libraries, which can reach $15 per copy. With the cost of living soaring and limited support available, many families are unable to provide their children with the necessary materials for education. Mohammed Hallaj from the Syrian Response Coordinators reported that over 2.3 million children have dropped out of school in Syria, with hundreds of schools destroyed due to ongoing conflict. The urgent need for educational support is critical to ensure that children do not miss out on their right to education and to prevent a further increase in illiteracy across the region.
