IMPACT-se’s latest report uncovers informative changes in Syria’s education system following the takeover by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The new regime has initiated textbook reforms, replacing nationalistic and Assad-era content with an increasingly Islamized framework. While the removal of Assad’s influence signals a political shift, the reforms increasingly embed religious doctrine into the curriculum, potentially altering Syria’s educational trajectory. The changes reframe history through an Islamist lens, modify references to the Ottoman Empire, and eliminate nationalistic studies entirely. At the same time, antisemitic material remains unchanged, continuing to vilify Jews and Israel. Despite some efforts to neutralize terminology surrounding the 1973 war, the curriculum still promotes narratives that foster division and intolerance. Additionally, the removal of female figures from textbooks signals a regression in gender representation. These concerning shifts raise timely questions about the future of Syria’s education system and its adherence to international standards of peace and tolerance.
