A New School Year: Curricula Without Assad or Baath in Syria

Removal of References to the Former Regime

Syria’s Ministry of Higher Education has announced the adoption of new curricula for the 2025–2026 academic year, which include the removal of all references and symbols associated with the Assad regime—particularly in subjects such as Social Studies, Islamic Education, History, and Geography.

Abolition of National Education Subject

This decision follows earlier steps taken in January, when the subject of National Education was permanently removed from the curriculum. Its grading weight was redistributed between History and Geography, and it is no longer considered in secondary school assessments.

Adoption of Revolutionary Symbols

The revisions also include the adoption of the Syrian revolution flag in official textbooks— a move described as part of a broader effort to “redefine national identity” following the fall of the previous regime.

Erasure of Old Rhetoric

Educational sources indicate that the sweeping changes aim to eliminate all content related to the Baath Party and its slogans, along with the removal of texts and images associated with the former regime. These changes are seen as “essential for building a modern curriculum that reflects the new Syria.”

A New Political Context

Curriculum reform began shortly after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December of last year. It involved a comprehensive review of content previously seen as ideological propaganda, now replaced with materials emphasizing citizenship, diversity, and inclusive national values.