Critics fear increased focus on Islam and removal of content related to Bashar al-Assad’s toppled regime will erode country’s diverse historical and cultural identity

The new Syrian government's attempt to revise the national school curriculum has sparked a widespread backlash, with critics saying the changes reflect a more Islamic orientation while dropping references to the Assad era.

There is concern growing in Syria that the new Islamist-led authorities have already decided on changes to the school curriculum, without the input of the rest of society.

Syria’s new rulers have unveiled changes to the national school curriculum, sparking widespread concern and protests. The new curriculum, posted on the Ministry of Education’s Facebook page, reflects a marked shift toward Islamisation, omitting references to the Assad era and introducing controversial amendments.

DAMASCUS – Syria’s Education Minister Nazir al-Qadri on Jan 2 sought to minimise curriculum changes announced this week by the new Islamist-led authorities, after activists denounced them as “extremist” and potentially harmful to religious minorities.