A struggle over education continues in northeastern Syria
More than a month into the 2025-2026 academic year, many students in northeastern Syria remain unable to attend classes as a longstanding conflict persists over the educational curriculum in areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
School closures and reopening
In late September, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) closed private schools that taught the Damascus government’s curriculum, insisting on adopting its own curriculum exclusively. Although a November 2 agreement with local churches allowed private Christian schools to reopen this week, many other private institutions are still closed.
Impact on families in Qamishli
Syria Direct interviewed 11 families in Qamishli, Hasakah province, during the extended shutdown. Some children have returned to Christian schools following the reopening, but many remain without educational options.
Lara Asaad (a pseudonym) described how the school year start quickly fell apart, leaving two of her three children—a sixth grader and a second grader—out of school until recently.
"The problems began on September 3, when the AANES Education Board informed schools they must stop using the Damascus curriculum and switch entirely to the AANES curriculum."
The situation highlights ongoing challenges in determining educational content and access in the region amid political divisions.
Summary: The conflict over which curriculum to teach has left many northeastern Syrian students out of classrooms weeks into the academic year, with some schools reopening after negotiations but many still closed.
Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?