From The Ground Column #1-Sweida, Syria
In the southern Syrian city of Sweida, students are facing an exceptional and deeply troubling reality, one that goes far beyond the usual challenges associated with education in conflict zones.
According to local associations, 5,220 high school students were affected, including 3,788 in the scientific track and 1,432 in the literary track. These numbers represent more than statistics, they reflect a generation struggling to hold on to its right to education under extraordinary pressure.
Targeted Hardship and Discrimination
Students in Sweida have reportedly endured siege, marginalization, and incitement linked to their religious identity as Druze. This has made their situation uniquely severe, setting them apart from other students across the country. Their educational journey has been shaped not only by conflict but also by discrimination that has compounded their suffering.
Exams Under Threat
High school students were forced to sit for their final exams months after the official schedule, in July 2025. These exams took place under conditions far removed from any standard of fairness or stability. Local sources describe an atmosphere of real and ongoing threats, including the risk of violence and massacre.
Despite these circumstances, students persevered. They showed resilience and determination, sitting for exams in the midst of fear and destruction. However, their efforts have yet to yield the recognition they deserve.
Diplomas Without Value
Today, many of these students find themselves in a state of uncertainty. Their diplomas remain unrecognized, effectively blocking their access to higher education and employment opportunities. As a result, an entire academic year has been lost.
The situation is equally dire for university students. Many have been unable to continue or complete their studies, as access to education has become increasingly restricted, transforming what should be a basic right into a privilege available only to a few.
A Systemic Failure
What is unfolding in Sweida is not merely an administrative issue. It represents a profound failure to uphold a fundamental human right: access to education. Thousands of young people are now left in limbo, unable to move forward with their academic or professional lives.
This crisis highlights the broader consequences of conflict and exclusion, where education systems collapse and the futures of entire generations are put at risk.
The Broader Context
Recent events in southern Syria, which local reports describe as potentially amounting to war crimes or crimes against humanity, have further deepened the crisis. Approximately 1,700 victims have been documented.
Among the survivors are high school students whose futures have been abruptly halted. Although local authorities in Sweida organized exam sessions for around 5,220 students across both scientific and literary tracks, and results were released on February 5, 2026, the outcome has done little to resolve the issue. Pass rates were notably high in the scientific track at 94.9%, while the literary track saw a pass rate of 55%. Yet, despite these achievements, the refusal to officially recognize the diplomas has rendered these results effectively meaningless, according the local organizations.
#FromTheGround
Education and professional training are universal rights. Ensuring access to these rights is the responsibility of governments, civil society, and activists worldwide. Through its “From the Ground” column, Yalla Study seeks to amplify the voices of those who have been denied access to education. The situation in Sweida serves as a stark reminder that without recognition, protection, and action, the right to education can quickly become an empty promise.
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Image Credit Fadi Al Halabi
