Latest news with #MohammadSaedQaddour
Shafaq News
13-02-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Syria offers schooling solutions for displaced students amid return of refugees
Shafaq News/ Syria's Ministry of Education announced on Thursday new measures to help students who were forced to drop out of school due to displacement or migration during the al-Assad era. "Students with official academic documents will be able to re-enroll easily," Mohammad Saed Qaddour, the Director of Education at the Syrian Ministry of Education, told Shafaq News. "However, those without records showing their previous grade level will be placed in the appropriate class based on assessment." He added, "Many of these students are older than their peers, which creates challenges in placing them in the same classrooms due to age differences." Returning Syrian refugees, particularly from Turkiye, face a major challenge as many children have lost proficiency in their native Arabic after years of studying in Turkish public schools. According to official statistics from Turkiye's Ministry of Education, approximately 1.03 million Syrian students are currently enrolled in Turkish schools. With the academic year nearing its end and summer approaching, many Syrian families are expected to return home. Meanwhile, a report by Lebanon's Center for Educational Research and Development (CRDP) stated that 117,300 Syrian students were enrolled in Lebanese schools during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Shafaq News
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
EXCLUSIVE: Syria's education system set for major reform
Shafaq News/ Syria's education system requires urgent reform, but a structured, well-funded approach is essential, according to Mohammad Saed Qaddour, the Director of Education at the Syrian Ministry of Education. In an exclusive interview with Shafaq News, Qaddour emphasized the need to modernize educational content to keep pace with scientific, technological, and political developments while removing ideological influences from the curriculum. Curriculum Reform: A Long-Overdue Overhaul Qaddour underscored the necessity of updating school curricula at least once per decade to reflect scientific and technological progress. He acknowledged that Syria's current curriculum is deeply influenced by political ideology, stating, 'One of our priorities is to remove the glorification of the previous regime, which fostered dictatorship and personality cults. However, reforms must be meaningful, not arbitrary.' Qaddour outlined the complex process of education reform, which requires training workshops, expert consultations, and a phased implementation strategy over four years. He warned against rushed changes, emphasizing that hasty reforms could lead to inconsistencies and gaps in education quality. Private Education: Between Expansion and Monopoly Discussing private education, Qaddour highlighted stark contrasts between opposition-controlled and regime-held areas. 'In liberated areas, private schools have expanded rapidly, offering competitive services and lower tuition fees,' he said, though he noted that the oversaturation of schools has led to underfilled classrooms. Meanwhile, in regime-controlled zones, private education is monopolized by political elites and the wealthy. 'This monopoly has led to overcrowding and inflated tuition fees, making education a privilege rather than a right,' Qaddour explained. He called for strengthening public education to ensure accessibility and regulating private schools to prevent exploitation. 'Education must be a fundamental right, not a commercial enterprise,' he stressed. Tackling Illiteracy and School Dropouts On illiteracy and school dropouts, Qaddour announced plans for a partnership with the Ministry of Culture to launch literacy programs for adults who are unable to return to school. For younger dropouts, an accelerated learning system is under consideration. "By condensing academic years, students can quickly catch up with their peers and reintegrate into mainstream education," he explained. Hijab: Between Tradition and Misconception Addressing the controversy surrounding the hijab, Qaddour dismissed claims linking Islamic dress to extremism. "The fear surrounding the hijab stems from an illogical association with radicalism," he stated. He pointed out that modesty has historically been a universal symbol of purity, referencing religious depictions of the Virgin Mary. 'Modesty is not exclusive to Islam; it is a common principle across monotheistic religions,' he added. Criticizing past government policies, he condemned Rifaat al-Assad's forced removal of hijabs in Damascus, calling it an assault on personal freedoms. 'Our goal is to uphold freedom of choice, not impose restrictions,' he asserted.
