The Syrian Future Movement, as a national movement committed to building a unified and prosperous Syria, expresses its profound welcome and full support for Syrian Ministry of Education Decision No. 943/376, issued on January 17, 2026. This decision aims to instill the values of citizenship, preserve civil peace, and strengthen national belonging in all educational institutions, including public and private schools.
We view this decision, which adopts a comprehensive national discourse that emphasizes respect for cultural and social diversity and promotes a spirit of love and harmony among all citizens without discrimination or exclusion, as a crucial step towards strengthening national unity during a sensitive transitional phase in which Syria is rebuilding its social fabric after years of conflict.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that this decision is based on Presidential Decree No. 13 of 2026, issued by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which guarantees cultural, linguistic, and civil rights for Syrian Kurds, emphasizing that they are an integral part of the Syrian people and that their identity constitutes an inseparable component of the diverse and unified Syrian national identity. The decision explicitly prohibits any discourse, behavior, or practice based on ethnicity, sect, or religious affiliation, or that includes incitement, abuse, or discrimination, whether perpetrated by administrators, teachers, students, or other entities.
Any violation of this decision is considered a serious offense that will subject the perpetrator to legal accountability and penalties, including referral to the criminal courts if necessary.
The provincial education directorates and school administrations are tasked with monitoring implementation and reporting violations to the Ministry, reflecting a practical commitment to making schools safe educational environments that foster love, mutual respect, and national belonging.
The Syrian Future Movement believes this decision comes at a crucial transitional stage, as Syria recovers from the effects of years of conflict and strives to build a society based on the principles of social justice and equality.
At this stage, education becomes a fundamental tool for rebuilding trust among Syria’s diverse communities, strengthening social cohesion, and preventing the resurgence of discriminatory rhetoric that contributed to the escalation of conflicts.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that focusing on citizenship education in schools is a strategic investment in the nation’s future. It helps cultivate a generation that believes in diversity as a strength, not a weakness, and works to achieve sustainable peace through dialogue and understanding.
The Syrian Future Movement recalls the experiences of similar countries that have undergone transitional periods following internal conflicts, drawing lessons that enhance the effectiveness of such decisions.
For example, in Rwanda, after the 1994 genocide, the government introduced educational reforms focused on citizenship and reconciliation education. These included revising the curriculum to avoid discriminatory rhetoric and promote national unity, which contributed to rebuilding society and reducing ethnic tensions.
Similarly, in South Africa, after the end of apartheid in 1994, the state adopted citizenship education programs aimed at combating racial discrimination by integrating the values of equality and justice into the curriculum. This helped strengthen social cohesion and support the democratic transition. In Colombia, the Ministry of Education has developed peace-oriented citizenship competencies in recent years, building on peace agreements following decades of armed conflict. These competencies focus on promoting mutual respect and dialogue in schools, leading to an improved learning environment and reduced violence.
In Liberia, following the end of the civil war in August 2003, UNICEF, in partnership with the government, launched the “Back to School” program. This program encouraged thousands of children to return to school, integrating peace education and responsible citizenship, which contributed to the reintegration of affected youth and the strengthening of social stability.
These experiences demonstrate that investing in citizenship education during transitional periods can transform challenges into opportunities for building more cohesive and prosperous societies.
The Syrian Future Movement calls for expanding the scope of this decision to include intensive training programs for teachers and administrators, along with integrating practical lessons into the curriculum that encourage cultural dialogue and civic engagement. This approach draws inspiration from experiences such as those in Northern Ireland, where “Local and Global Citizenship Education” programs were incorporated into the compulsory curriculum following the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, with a focus on diversity and social justice, which helped to overcome sectarian tensions.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the importance of monitoring implementation by independent bodies and involving civil society and parents in the evaluation process. This will ensure that this decision becomes the foundation for building an educational system that promotes democracy and human rights, while considering Syria’s unique challenges, such as the reintegration of culturally and linguistically diverse regions.
The Syrian Future Movement looks to the future with an optimistic national vision, where education becomes a cornerstone of a new Syria—a Syria that celebrates its diversity as a source of strength and guarantees every citizen their full rights in a discrimination-free environment.
In this vision, the younger generation becomes a driving force for sustainable development, drawing lessons from the past to build a better tomorrow.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the effective implementation of such resolutions will make Syria a regional model for promoting peace through education, thus contributing to the stability of the entire region.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on all Syrian parties, including the government, civil society, and international organizations, to cooperate to ensure the success of this resolution, while adhering to the principles of transparency and accountability.
We are confident that this step will be highly valued for its contribution to building a nation where peace and justice prevail.
