Education for profit in HTS-held areas | Salvation government introduces unified school uniform for nearly 400,00 students in Idlib claiming to increase education level
Idlib schools host nearly 400,000 male and female students. This large number of students attracts the attention of those who aspire to implement projects for profit under the pretext of raising the level of education.
Since the beginning of the semester, officials in the schools have imposed 100 Turkish liras for activity and cooperation to enhance education. In all the schools in Idlib, the total amount is 40,000,000 Turkish liras. The official in schools imposes this sum, although most schools in Idlib are partially or totally supported by educational organisations.
Moreover, “Salvation government” in Idlib, has issued a decision to unify school dress in areas controlled by Hayyat Tahrir Al-Sham, sparking controversy among the residents.
Some people have derided the new school uniform, saying that it is similar to the former “Al-Ba’ath Vanguards,” while the only difference between the new school uniform and “Al-Ba’ath Vanguards” uniform is the slogan “Salvation government.”
While, others praised the government’s decision that, according to some supporters of the decision, the new uniform will make students more adhere to the school rules.
According to “Salvation government” decision, school dress is “not compulsory” for students, and if a student buys the uniform he will pay the expense of the uniform, in light of the dire economic conditions in Syria.
On September 19, SOHR activists reported that with the poor services provided by the Education Directorate of the “Salvation Government” and noticeable prevalence of private schools and centres, education has made residents in Idlib city and countryside shoulder extra burdens. Furthermore, renting out government schools to the private education sector has worsened the situation further.
For-profit private schools and educational centres have become strewn everywhere in areas under the control of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham in north-west Syria region, at a time when authorities have turned a blind eye to the alarming increase in the number of such institutions. Moreover, the authorities in these areas depend on hiring teachers who accept to work voluntarily, where the teachers in government schools receive no monthly salaries.
Ironically, the “Salvation Government” provide food aid to teachers working in its schools, as if they are widows and displaced people who receive similar assistance in refugee camps.
In this context, Reliable SOHR sources have reported that the “Salvation Government” have granted a licence to Al-Nour private education foundation for providing its educational service in the government schools in Sarmada, Kafr Takharim and Sarmin under official contracts according to which the “Salvation Government” receive a fixed sum of money. SOHR was not able to verify that sum of money which the two sides agreed on.
SOHR sources have confirmed that Al-Nour foundation has imposed a monthly fee of an estimated ten USD paid by each student enjoying its services.
Observatory sources have monitored broad public anger and discontent because of the attempts by the “Salvation Government” to privatise education, especially with the considerable deterioration of education sector administrated by the Education Directorate in Idlib.
Activists see that the “Salvation Government” seek to invest in the education sector through renting out schools and dealing with each school as if it is an independent project. Meanwhile, support provided by educational organisations is stolen to support the private sector.
The Education Directorate in Idlib is suffering from acute shortage of education supplies, as the education is considered “a poor sector producing no income.” Some of those supplies are secured by education organisations. Meanwhile, the “Salvation Government” force humanitarian organisations in areas under their control to provide food baskets to teachers working in government schools during school seasons.