Politics of education in Northeast Syria

Abstract

As Syrian Kurds gained de-facto autonomy in 2012 in Northeast Syria, new institutions were shaped under the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria (AANES). This new governance experience, often portrayed as an utopian alternative political and social model implemented in a region rich in ethnic and religious diversity, places universalist values of democracy, gender equality and respect for human rights and diversity at its core. A reform of the education sector was initiated by the AANES in2015, seeking to make a radical shift away from nationalist, assimilationist and discriminatory educational policies of the Baath Party. With the Syrian government continuing to operate their own education system in pockets of territories they still control, two education systems are now operated in parallel in Northeast Syria, contributing to a developing education crisis.

This thesis draws on 51 interviews with 62 community members from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. After introducing the socio-political context of Northeast Syria, it examines the evolution of educational policies in this part of Syria, analyzing how AANES educational policies differ from the Syrian Government policies. By applying the 4Rs [Redistribution, Recognition, Representation, Reconciliation] and 4As [Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, Adaptability] analytical frameworks which respectively allow to evaluate the contribution made by an education system to a social justice approach to education and to a rights approach to education, the research has made used of interview data in order to identify perceptions of community members towards the provision of education by the AANES and the Syrian Government. This research provides the first academic exploration of the current educational landscape in Northeast Syria, exploring decision-making processes of community members around school choice in a conflict-affected context.

Thesis is embargoed until 31st January 2027

Date of Award	Jan 2025
Original language	English
Supervisor	Karl O'Connor (Supervisor) & Kelsey Shanks (Supervisor)