Action Group | Damascus
Syrian Minister of Education, Dr. Mohammad Abdul Rahman Turko, met today in Damascus with UNRWA’s Director of Affairs in Syria, Amanya Michael-Ebye, to explore avenues for strengthening cooperation in the education sector””particularly in support of Palestinian refugee students who continue to face severe obstacles in accessing safe and adequate education.
The meeting addressed the condition of UNRWA-run schools that have been damaged by the ongoing conflict and reviewed mechanisms for their rehabilitation and reconstruction. The goal is to ensure uninterrupted educational services for students in Palestinian refugee camps across various Syrian provinces.
Minister Turko highlighted that the economic sanctions imposed on Syria remain a significant barrier to reconstruction efforts, including those involving educational infrastructure that serves the Palestinian refugee community. He emphasized that lifting these sanctions is an urgent necessity for the recovery of the education sector.
UNRWA, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Palestinian refugees in Syria and expressed its readiness to expand its school support programs and invest in developing the capacities of educators working under challenging conditions””despite resource shortages and growing educational needs.
This meeting marks a critical step toward bolstering educational access in Palestinian refugee camps, where thousands of students continue to face exceptional circumstances that threaten their academic future. UNRWA remains steadfast in its efforts to safeguard their right to education amid an ongoing crisis.