Syrian Students Face Dire Challenges as New School Year Begins Amid Economic Crisis and Widespread Destruction

A Challenging Start to the Academic Year

As the new school year begins in the Syrian Arab Republic, students and educators are grappling with the profound consequences of a protracted crisis. The 2024-2025 academic year, and projections for 2025-2026, reveal an education sector severely strained by economic hardship and widespread destruction of infrastructure. Families face immense pressure to prioritize basic survival over education, leading to millions of children being out of school.

Economic Hardship Forces Difficult Choices

The severe economic crisis in Syria means that many families are struggling to afford even the most basic necessities, impacting their ability to send children to school. With 90 percent of the population living below the poverty line, the costs of school supplies, uniforms, and transportation have become prohibitive for many households. This economic strain often forces children into the labor market to support their families, increasing dropout rates and the risk of child labor. The Syrian Ministry of Education has even called on schools 'not to enforce strict school uniforms… and to reduce the necessary supplies' to ease the financial burden on families.

Devastated Infrastructure and Learning Environments

Years of conflict have left Syria's educational infrastructure in ruins. Official statistics indicate that approximately 40 to 50 percent of the country's 19,400 schools are fully or partially destroyed, with around 7,000 to 8,000 schools damaged or out of service. Many operational schools suffer from overcrowding, lack of essential facilities like proper sanitation (WASH), and unreliable electricity, creating unconducive learning environments. In some areas, schools have been converted into shelters for displaced families, further disrupting education. Attacks on educational facilities continue, with a noticeable increase between September 2023 and September 2024, recording 43 attacks in northwest Syria alone.

Millions Out of School and a Shortage of Educators

The combined impact of economic hardship and infrastructure damage has resulted in a staggering number of children out of school. Estimates suggest that 2.3 million to 2.45 million children are currently out of school across Syria, with an additional 1 million to 1.6 million at risk of dropping out. In regions like Idlib, 69 percent of children are out of school, and in Aleppo, the figure stands at 38 percent. The education system also faces a severe shortage of qualified teachers, many of whom are overworked, underpaid, or have left the profession due to unsafe conditions and low wages. Over 55 teachers have lost their lives due to military attacks over the past three years.

Humanitarian Efforts and Persistent Funding Gaps

Humanitarian organizations, including UNICEF, are working to address the crisis by providing educational services, rehabilitating schools, and distributing supplies. In 2024, UNICEF supported 878,441 children with formal education services and supplies and trained 7,347 education personnel. However, these efforts are hampered by significant funding shortfalls. In 2023, nearly US$90 million was needed for education, with a funding gap of 60.6 percent by June. For 2025, the UN's fundraising efforts have secured only $25.1 million of the $133.9 million needed, leaving a substantial gap of $108.7 million. This persistent underfunding threatens to cut critical programs and further endanger the future of Syrian children.