Education International Urges End to Violence and Prioritisation of Education in Syria’s Recovery
Following recent armed clashes in Aleppo that endangered civilians and denied thousands of children their right to safe education, Education International (EI) calls for an immediate end to violence and urges Syrian authorities and the international community to make education a central pillar of recovery and reconstruction efforts.
EI strongly condemns the attacks in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, which harmed civilians—including students and teachers—destroyed schools and union offices, and disrupted learning. These acts violate international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights.
EI calls on all parties to:
- Stop attacks on civilians and infrastructur e, including schools and union offices.
- Uphold the Safe Schools Declaration, ensuring schools remain safe and never used for military purposes.
- Protect every child’s right to education, even in conflict.
EI stands in solidarity with its affiliate, the Union of Teachers in North and East Syria (UTNES), representing over 50,000 educators advocating for inclusive, equitable education during Syria’s long-term reconstruction. Years of conflict have devastated the education system, displaced communities, and placed immense burdens on teachers who continue teaching under unsafe conditions.
A strong, inclusive education system is essential for Syria’s future — key to peace, social justice, and equality. EI and UTNES call for urgent implementation of United Nations Recommendations on the Teaching Profession including:
- Financing: Allocate at least 6% of GDP and 20% of public expenditure to education, protected from austerity.
- Inclusive Reconstruction: Ensure equitable access to qualified teachers and culturally responsive education for all communities.
- Teachers in Crisis: Guarantee timely pay, hazard allowances, and security for educators in high-risk areas.
- Professionalisation: Establish a National Teacher Policy, phase out precarious contracts, and provide free initial teacher education.
- Peace Curricula: Embed human rights, global citizenship, and social cohesion in curricula.
- Human-Centered Technology: Use technology to empower teachers, protect privacy, and bridge digital divides.
These measures must be supported through institutionalised social dialogue and collective bargaining with representative teacher organisations, including UTNES and EI.
Education must be at the heart of Syria’s recovery. Rebuilding Syria begins with investing in teachers and education.
