The Syrian Future Movement warmly welcomes the decision issued by the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to reinstate members of the teaching and technical staff who were arbitrarily dismissed during the years of the Syrian revolution due to their patriotic and humanitarian stances.
We believe that this decision, announced by Minister Marwan al-Halabi on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, represents a bold step towards rectifying the historical injustice suffered by thousands of academics and teachers who were victims of the policies of repression and exclusion under the former regime.
We emphasize that reinstating these national talents to their original positions, while ensuring swift mechanisms for completing the administrative and legal procedures, is not merely an administrative measure, but rather an investment in Syria’s educational and scientific future, and a reaffirmation of the values of transitional justice that the Syrian revolution has championed since 2011.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that this decision reflects a commitment to rebuilding the Syrian social fabric, which has been torn apart by years of conflict. During the revolution, thousands of members of the teaching staff—including university professors and technical instructors—were dismissed for expressing their opinions or participating in the peaceful protests, leading to a widespread brain drain and a decline in the quality of higher education in the country.
Approximate statistics indicate that more than 5,000 academics were dismissed or forced to resign between 2011 and 2024, creating a profound knowledge gap in Syrian universities such as those in Damascus, Aleppo, and Latakia.
We in the Syrian Future Movement, a civil political movement born from the revolution, emphasize that reinstating these individuals is a national imperative to restore the accumulated expertise that contributed to curriculum development and research, and to strengthen the role of universities as engines of social and economic development.
We believe this approach aligns with our national vision of building a unified Syria, where citizenship is the basis of rights without political or sectarian discrimination, and where genuine reconciliation is achieved among all Syrians.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that this decision represents a practical application of the principles of transitional justice stipulated in the 2025 Syrian Interim Constitution, which guarantees the right of those affected by past violations to return to public sector jobs, while respecting their financial and moral rights.
It also aligns with Syria’s international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), which protects freedom of opinion and expression (Article 19) and the right to work without discrimination (Article 26), as well as ILO Convention No. 111 concerning discrimination in employment. Furthermore, in the context of the political transition following the fall of the former regime in 2024, we see this decision as reinforcing international efforts to support the reconstruction of education, as outlined in partnership agreements with the European Union and the United Nations, which focus on rehabilitating educational personnel as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (UN Goal 4: Quality Education).
However, the decision must include independent oversight mechanisms to ensure timely implementation, with the possibility of judicial appeal in case of any violations, to prevent a recurrence of past mistakes.
The Syrian Future Movement views this decision as a golden opportunity for fundamental reform in the higher education sector, which has suffered a decline in international rankings due to the conflict. We believe that reinstating these qualified individuals will contribute to modernizing curricula, enhancing scientific research, and attracting international investment to universities, thereby boosting economic development and reducing youth unemployment.
The Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- Swift and transparent implementation mechanisms, inspired by the South African experience after the end of apartheid (1994), where the Truth and Reconciliation Commission established mechanisms for reinstating dismissed academics with training programs to adapt to the changes.
We also recommend forming joint committees between the Ministry and educational unions to review cases within 90 days, publishing periodic progress reports, and guaranteeing financial compensation for lost years of service, as in the Argentine model after the dictatorship (1983). - Rehabilitation and development programs, inspired by Iraq after 2003, where UNESCO assisted in retraining professors through workshops and international partnerships.
We recommend launching free training programs for reinstated individuals, focusing on modern technologies such as digital education and artificial intelligence, in cooperation with organizations like UNESCO and UNICEF, to enhance the quality of education and align it with market needs. - Protecting academic freedoms is inspired by Tunisia’s experience after the 2011 revolution, where laws were introduced to protect freedom of research and expression in universities.
We believe it is essential to enact a national law protecting academics from political dismissal, along with the establishment of an independent body to monitor violations, ensuring the continuity of reforms and preventing a return to exclusion. - Strengthening international partnerships is inspired by Rwanda’s experience after the 1994 genocide, where it rebuilt its education system through partnerships with foreign universities.
Therefore, we encourage international exchanges for Syrian academics and attract scholarships to enhance research, contributing to Syria’s reintegration into the global education landscape.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on the Syrian government to implement this decision immediately and comprehensively in all universities, extending its scope to all affected public sectors.
We also call on the international community to provide technical and financial support to bolster these efforts, and on all Syrians to unite around the values of unity and justice to build together a prosperous and prosperous Syria of the future.
