168 schools damaged by earthquake in Syrian government-held areas
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Ministry of Education has registered that 168 schools have been damaged by the earthquake and aftershocks that hit Syria and Turkey on Feb. 6.
Minister of Education, Darem Tabbaa, said in a meeting held on Tuesday with representatives of international organizations operating in the education field that a few schools suffered great destruction in Latakia and Aleppo. Other schools have been lightly damaged, such as the partial collapse of the surrounding walls and cracks in the flooring.
He added that they shared the list of damaged schools with the international partner organizations to provide assistance and support.
Some schools were turned into shelters for those affected by the earthquake in Aleppo, Latakia, and Hama.
The minister is scheduled to hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation of schools and find alternative solutions for emergency shelters other than schools and make the right decisions to facilitate the student’s return to school.
On Feb. 6, following the deadly earthquake that hit Syria, the Syrian Ministry of Education suspended all schools in government-held areas till the weekend.