Syrian Ministry of Education official: Over 8,000 schools damaged amid 14-year conflict

DARAMSUQ — According to a senior official in the Syrian Ministry of Education, the 14-year conflict in the country damaged or destroyed over 8,000 schools.

Mohammad Saeed Qaddour, a senior education official, stated that around 7,400 schools remain closed due to structural damage or complete collapse. To date, only 102 schools have been fully rehabilitated, with reconstruction efforts ongoing at 345 additional sites. Preliminary assessments have also been completed for 2,540 schools to evaluate the feasibility of future restoration.

In response to the crisis, the ministry has introduced initiatives to restore access to education. Among these measures are public-private partnerships, allowing private entities to manage and operate restored schools under fixed-term agreements. The ministry has emphasized that education will remain free for a portion of students in these institutions.

Qaddour highlighted further challenges in the education sector, including insufficient teacher salaries, gaps in professional training, and outdated curricula. He stressed the importance of integrating modern technology and digital learning tools to revitalize the system and enable students to recover lost years of education.

Experts underline that rebuilding Syria’s education infrastructure will be a cornerstone for national recovery and long-term stability, ensuring that a generation of children regains access to essential learning opportunities.