Postponing Exams in Idlib after Wave of Attacks on Educational Facilities in Syria

The Head of Idlib Education Directorate, Mr. Mohamed Jamal Shahoud, describes the impact that the recent violence has had on education and the challenges students and the Directorate are facing: 

“The obstacles facing the educational process are many; the terrifying extent to which airstrikes are impacting schools directly or indirectly and the lack of support provided to the directorate are the two main obstacles. In the last two weeks alone, violent airstrikes have directly impacted many schools in Idlib City and its countryside; they also hit the directorate itself and the Examination Department causing huge damage. Because of this increasing violence, we had to suspend the exams for at least a week.” 

One week on, the Education Directorate in Idlib are planning to resume examinations immediately, after a period of fewer airstrikes.

Mr. Mostafa Al-Haj Ali, the head of the Media Office at Idlib Education Directorate further explains how education has suffered during the conflict: “The Statistics Office and the Media Office have calculated that 600 schools in Idlib and its countryside have been partially damaged and a total of 200 schools have been completely destroyed and need to be rebuilt. Some of these damaged schools have been rehabilitated by NGOs; seven schools in Idlib have been rehabilitated and supported by People in Need. Many teachers and students have been killed in airstrikes either during school time or in the markets, streets and buildings. Prior to our decision to postpone the exams, there were many airstrikes on Idlib City; one directly impacting the Education Directorate building and causing huge damage. Another one hit the Examination Department and the books warehouse. The whole building was impacted and all the equipment and copying machines were rendered out of service; luckily no one was hurt. The exam papers which were supposed to be delivered to the exam centres also were destroyed and caught fire. Now as the situation is getting better and there are fewer airstrikes, we are reopening the exam centres again to complete the exam process.” 

Whilst damage to the education institutions and the safety of students and education staff are the primary reasons for postponing exams, in recent weeks Idlib city has witnessed great waves of displacement as residents have fled the city to safer areas. Whilst many have since returned, the absence of students during this period constituted an additional reason to postpone the exams.

PIN has been supporting school-aged children in the northern Syria through education programmes since 2013 and is now one of the largest education actors in this area. PIN works closely with education authorities and local communities to support 20 individual community-led schools by providing: staff incentives; school rehabilitation and furniture; school operational costs; teacher training; teaching and learning materials; first aid training and kits; and access to psychosocial support activities.

Clare Sadd, PIN’s Education Programme Manager based in Turkey says: ‘We are deeply concerned about the increase of incidences impacting education in northern Syria. As more and more children drop out of school due to insecurity, the gap in education continues to increase. This has huge implications, not only for the development and well-being of children in Syria, but for the future of the country as a whole.’