Children playing in Idlib [Save the Children, Hurras Network]
Teachers probably represent the most valuable component of every educational system. They do not just impart knowledge by lecturing to children facts, notions, and concepts, but they also shape new generations, raising informed citizens and mindful human beings. In Syria, however, due to the ongoing civil war, the number of school teachers has dramatically dropped, leaving students with no guide.
The Syrian armed conflict has heavily impacted the Syrian educational system, generating a shortage of qualified teaching staff. According to the reports published by some non-governmental organizations, between 2011 and 2015, the conflict provoked the loss of 22% of the total number of Syrian teachers. In the same time period, hostilities also caused the displacement of 18% of school psychological counselors, whose role is to help students with their personal social-emotional concerns.
The lack of teachers in Syria has had several consequences. First, it has given birth to the so-called “irregular teachers,” people who teach without being specialized in the educational process or fully qualified for teaching. Second, it has seriously undermined the children’s right to education, depriving the Syrian youth of the chance to learn. Finally, it has tragically jeopardized the entire Syrian learning system, which was internationally known for its outstanding quality and relevance.
To respond to the demand of qualified teaching staff, UNICEF has promoted several campaigns to recruit new teachers with the support of Syrian local organizations. Only in 2018, the UN Agency trained more than 56,000 Syrian teachers by developing innovative courses and workshops aimed not just at increasing their academic knowledge but also at providing them with the necessary tools to facilitate their students in the transition to a new schooling environment.
While the strong results obtained until now are synonyms with new hope, a lot more needs to be done: there are still many children waiting for their teachers.
By Simone M. Russo