Revised textbooks in Syria have come under a wave of criticism; criticisms that focus on changes to images and the representation of women and the cultural heritage of this country.
Controversial Changes in Textbooks
Some media outlets and activists have reported that images of women in these textbooks have been altered to depict them wearing hijabs and long clothing, while well-known artworks such as the Mona Lisa have been removed. These changes raise questions about the representation of women in the curriculum and the reflection of Syria's cultural diversity.
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The Syrian Ministry of Education has stated that the aim of these revisions is to remove symbols associated with the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad and to reflect the existing diversity in Syrian society. Since the rise to power of Islamist officials in December 2024, the debate over the role of Islam in politics and daily life has intensified, and religious conservatives have exerted more pressure to implement conservative social norms.
Critiques and Reactions
The pro-government network “Syria TV” reported that changes have been made in the 2026-2027 academic year versions of social studies, religious education, and history textbooks for grades one to seven, primarily in elementary school. Syrian activists and journalists have published examples of these images, which they claim have been manipulated and removed.
Mohammad Saloum, a journalist, pointed to the removal of the Mona Lisa from a section about the European Renaissance and discussed other changes including the “frequent removal” of the ancient Mesopotamian statue of Ur-Nammu and the omission of content related to the Golan Heights and the political participation of women. He stated that these changes have been made sporadically and appear “chaotic.”
The Ministry of Education quickly rejected these criticisms, stating that false information is being circulated. The ministry described the aim of the changes as reflecting “the desires of Syrians, preserving social diversity, and strengthening citizenship and respect for others.” This agency also published examples of textbook images and urged people to rely on official sources instead of rumors.
A similar controversy arose in January 2025, immediately after the new officials came to power, over a proposed curriculum that seemed to have an Islamic inclination.
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