Type: Policy Brief

Date: April 14, 2026

Summary

Syria’s Ministry of Education has recently shared a draft strategy for the education sector. While this is an important step, our assessment finds that the current draft does not yet provide the direction needed to guide the system forward.

At its core, the strategy lacks three essential elements: clear leadership from the Ministry, prioritisation of key reforms, and grounding in Syria’s current realities. As a result, it risks reinforcing fragmentation across the sector rather than addressing it.

This paper sets out a practical way forward. It argues that an effective strategy does not require more resources or time, but sharper choices. The Ministry must define a small number of clear priorities, establish principles that guide real trade-offs, and set a coherent vision for funding and implementation.

The brief also highlights the need for the Ministry to reposition itself as a strategic leader of the education system, capable of setting direction while enabling other actors to align behind national priorities.

Ultimately, a strong education strategy should serve as a single, authoritative statement of intent - one that brings clarity, restores confidence, and enables coordinated action across the sector.