Syria - Improving Schools and Learning Environment - Damascus

As part of its global responsibility to promote schools that are child-friendly and violence-free, UNICEF introduced a child-centred education model and a new interactive curriculum in state schools that host Iraqi refugee children in Damascus, the capital city, and in Hassakeh in North Syria.  It equipped the schools with new furniture and learning material and trained teachers in applying the new curriculum; a training that dovetails with the improved education landscape offered by the rehabilitated schools; a curriculum that puts children at the heart of school life and is based on active learning techniques like group work and interactive theatre. The launch of this new curriculum by the Syrian Ministry for Education, and its expected adoption by 5000 Syrian schools, is a turning point for state schools in Syria.

In cooperation with the Syrian Ministry for Education and through a 7m euro support from the European Union, UNICEF rehabilitated 216 state schools in and around Damascus and Hassakeh. Ibrahim Farah accompanied us to one of these newly rehabilitated schools in a Damascus neighbourhood that is home to many Iraqi refugee families. Ibrahim is part of UNICEF’s team that works with state schools that host refugee children.

With bright paintings made by children on the school walls, newly rehabilitated classrooms with new desks and chairs, and child friendly learning material, the school bears all the hallmarks of the new child-friendly school model being promoted by UNICEF in the Syrian state schools. Students tell us that they enjoy studying through interactive learning techniques. They now remember all that they are taught and they love coming to school every day.

The local community also is drawn straight into the heart of the project since it is the children, parents, staff and key community representatives that democratically vote for and choose the facilities and services they want for their children in school.

The smiling faces and sparkling eyes of the school children speak volumes about their enthusiasm for their schools. The active engagement of parents in school activities and their support to the new child-friendly school model make the success of UNICEF's intervention a lasting change.

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UNICEF has been active in Syria since 1971, providing assistance and advice to government and non-government organisations in designing and implementing plans for children and women.  (also seehttp://unicef.un.org.sy)

The EU and UNICEF cooperate together to support Iraqi refugee children in accessing Syrian public education services and to enhance the learning environments of 216 schools in areas affected by a large influx of Iraqi refugees. The EC contributes with approx. 7m Euros to support UNICEF's educational activities with Iraqi refugee children in Damascus and in Hasakeh in Northern Syria. In close cooperation with the Syrian Ministry for Education, UNICEF supports the rehabilitation of schools, provision of active learning equipment and furniture, training of teachers and direct community involvement for improving the learning environment for children. The existing schools are equipped to become "Child-Friendly schools". The model of child-friendly schools concentrates on the well being of the kids, allowing them and parents to become active partners of their education. 

Teachers are trained in new techniques of education and education material is adapted to the local culture. "What differentiates UNICEF schools is its less formal and strict atmosphere, children's paintings, active learning equipment, participation of parents in improving the school and essentially "happier children", says the UNICEF Project Manager. He adds that if the school atmosphere and environment is improved, the learning experience as a whole can improve.

The kids, parents, staff and key community representatives vote democratically on what they want for their children in terms of facilities and service availability. In this way, the community is drawn straight into the heart of the project. The greatest challenge of this initiative is also its key factor of triumph - the active involvement of the community. Only with the involvement of communities can the initiative become sustainable, says a UNICEF staff. If kids are happy and parents are involved, then the project will continue beyond 2012. 

Syria is an important country in the region and it is strategically crucial for the EU to support the whole new generation of children who are studying in schools and will be the adults of tomorrow. UNICEF’s initial support to 140 schools has now been extended to another 80 schools across Syria.