Syria seeks international support for education recovery at global summit
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syria takes part in the 2026 Global Education Forum held in London between May 17 and 20, aiming at expanding international cooperation in the education sector.
The Syrian delegation includes Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Marwan al-Halabi and Education Minister Mohammad Abdul Rahman Turko, along with several officials and advisers.
On the sidelines of the forum, the delegation held a series of meetings with international representatives to discuss education, training, and human capacity-building initiatives.
The discussions included meetings with officials from the UK Foreign Office, including Development Director for Syria Peter McDermott and Political Director for Syria, Yemen, and Iraq David Hunt, focusing on prospects for cooperation in education, reconstruction, and joint initiatives related to educational recovery.
British officials expressed interest in supporting stability in Syria and rehabilitating the education sector, with particular emphasis on child protection programs and school rehabilitation, especially in Idlib. They also highlighted support for educational and language initiatives and efforts to enhance international funding for education in coordination with global institutions.
For his part, al-Halabi stressed the importance of linking educational development to the requirements of the reconstruction phase through strengthening scientific research and innovation, expanding technical education, and introducing modern fields of study such as artificial intelligence, smart agriculture, and cybersecurity to align with labor market needs.
Al-Halabi also called for revitalizing cultural relations between Syria and the United Kingdom, reopening the British Cultural Center in Damascus, and resuming scholarship programs. He underscored the need for technical and logistical support to rehabilitate educational infrastructure and accommodate growing student numbers.
The minister noted that educational loss in Syria is estimated at around 1.4 million students out of school, emphasizing the need to expand online education, remedial learning programs, and digital infrastructure in educational institutions.
In a related development, the Syrian delegation met with officials from the World Bank to discuss a proposed educational cooperation project focused on addressing learning loss, developing blended and digital education, implementing advanced teacher training programs, supporting school rehabilitation, and improving emergency response systems to ensure continuity of education.
Al-Halabi said Syria’s participation in the forum represents an opportunity to strengthen academic openness and build new educational partnerships with international institutions, contributing to the development of both higher and general education and supporting Syrian students and researchers in the coming period.