4.5 million students begin 2013-2014 school year in Syria

More than 4.5 million Syrian kindergarten, basic education, secondary education and teaching institutes students began on Sunday the new school year of 2013-2014 despite the threats posed by hateful and takfiri extremists.

The recent terrorist attacks on hundreds of schools didn’t prevent the Ministry of Education from providing educational requirements to over 18,000 schools across Syria and preparing them to receive children and youths intent on pursuing their education.

Education Minister Hazwan al-Waz said that providing educational supplies, from textbooks to teaching aids to qualified teaching staff, was among the government’s priorities since the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Touring a number of schools in Qudsaya area in Damascus Countryside with other officials to inspect their readiness, al-Waz said that the smooth start of the new school year was made possible by the commitment shown by over 300,000 teachers who began preparations one week ago.

He asserted that textbooks have been made available and schools are staffed, stressing the need to commit to school hours, class schedules and the educational plan from day one, calling for listening to suggestions and observations to improve the educational process.

A number of students told SANA’s correspondent that they’re satisfied with the preparations made for the school year, saying that they will continue their education no matter the challenge or threats they face.