The Syrian Future Movement is following with great interest the decision issued by the Ministry of Education, No. 943, which mandates the inclusion of the Kurdish language in the official educational curricula in predominantly Kurdish areas, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 13 of 2026.
We consider this decision a positive step towards recognizing cultural and linguistic diversity as an integral part of Syrian national identity, after decades of exclusion and marginalization imposed on the Kurdish community by the former regime. This aligns with the principles of the Syrian revolution: freedom, dignity, and equality for all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic or linguistic affiliations.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates this move towards safeguarding the cultural and linguistic rights of Kurdish citizens as a fundamental and integral component of the Syrian people. It views the development of a Kurdish language curriculum by the National Center for Curriculum Development, along with the provision of qualified teachers and training courses, as an important practical step towards building an educational system that reflects the diverse reality of Syria.
The Syrian Future Movement also welcomes the fact that the subject is optional (two sessions per week without affecting passing or failing), thus preserving the freedom of choice for parents and students without coercion or academic pressure.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that this step – while positive – needs further development and expansion to be more comprehensive and effective during the sensitive national transition the country is undergoing.
Limiting instruction in Kurdish to areas with a “Kurdish majority” or “significant population density” may limit its benefit in other areas with smaller Kurdish populations, or reinforce the impression that cultural rights are tied to specific geographical boundaries rather than being a general national right.
Furthermore, the success of this inclusion requires providing sufficient resources to prepare high-quality curricula within the specified timeframe (6 months), ensuring the independence of the National Center for Curriculum Development from any political or ideological influences, and focusing on promoting the values of shared citizenship and national unity.
At this critical juncture in Syria’s history, as the country strives to rebuild its state institutions on the foundations of partnership and equality after years of tyranny and division, the Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all reforms—including educational reform—are part of a comprehensive transitional justice process that respects Syria’s diversity and is not exploited to deepen divisions or serve narrow political agendas.
We also stress that the recognition of Kurdish as a national language must be translated into policies that strengthen social cohesion and open avenues for dialogue among all components of Syrian society to forge a shared future based on justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
The Syrian Future Movement calls upon the relevant authorities to:
- Gradually expand the implementation of Kurdish language instruction to include all areas where there is genuine demand from the local population.
- Ensure the transparency of the curriculum development process and the participation of Kurdish and non-Kurdish experts in its formulation to reflect the shared national spirit.
- Link this step to broader educational reform programs that encompass all Syrian languages and cultures, thereby strengthening national unity rather than fragmenting it.
The new Syria we dream of is a Syria for all its people, where sub-identities are respected within a unifying national framework, and diversity becomes a source of strength, not weakness.
The Syrian Future Movement remains committed to supporting all steps that serve this goal, while also offering constructive criticism to ensure their implementation with the highest levels of transparency and effectiveness.
