Education official says 170 schools remain closed in Damascus countryside
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A Syrian transitional government education official said on Wednesday that 170 schools in the Damascus countryside remain out of service due to severe damage and require major restoration before reopening.
Fadi Nazhat, Director of Education in Damascus countryside, told North Press that 11 schools have been completely destroyed, while restoration work has been completed on about 30 others.
He noted, however, that 170 schools are still heavily damaged and cannot resume operations without significant rehabilitation efforts.
Nazhat added that the directorate currently employs around 8,500 teachers and instructors but faces a shortage of 9,000 staff positions.
These vacancies are expected to be filled through substitute appointments, new hires, and the reinstatement of teachers who were previously dismissed during the war and are now being allowed to return.
Due to the shortage of functional schools, Nazhat explained, most institutions in Eastern Ghouta, Douma, and parts of Nashabiya have adopted half-day shifts to accommodate students.