Syria discusses educational cooperation with Bahrain and Venezuela

Minister of Education, Dr. Darem Tabbaa, discussed with the Bahraini Minister of Education, Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, ways of cooperation in the educational field between Syria and Bahrain, on the sidelines of the Education Transformation Summit, which is currently being held in New York and will continue until September 19.

During the meeting, Minister Tabbaa underlined the importance of the Syrian paper presented to the summit, titled “Transforming Education in the Light of Wars and Disasters.. Education in the Syrian Arab Republic as an Example and a Model,” as it focused on ways to develop personal skills, solve problems, work within a team, learn about projects and the mechanism of creating job opportunities in addition to the efforts made by the Ministry of Education during the war years and until now.

Minister Tabbaa pointed out that Syria is open to cooperation with Arab countries, especially the Kingdom of Bahrain, underlining the need of Arab countries’ cooperation in the educational field. He highlighted the cooperation and support provided by international organizations to Syria with regard to the educational sector.

In turn, Minister Al-Nuaimi stressed the need for joint cooperation in the educational field between the two countries, noting that Bahrain is ready to support Syria in this field, especially the children affected by the crisis in it. Bahrain represents the Arab Group at the UNESCO General Conference and will support Syria’s demands in the educational field, in addition to announcing many prizes that Syrian children can participate in through the UNESCO website.

During the meeting, they discussed the significant impact of the war in Syria, which lasted for more than ten years, on the educational sector, which led to getting nearly 8,000 schools out of service due to terrorism. Other schools need reconstruction and maintenance because they were shelters for the displaced during the years of the terrorist war against Syria.

In another meeting, Dr. Tabaa discussed with the Minister of Education of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Yelitz Santaella, the importance of strengthening educational cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Tabbaa referred to the well-established relations between the two countries, stressing the importance of exchanging experiences and student delegations, and getting acquainted with  the educational system in the two countries. He noted that the paper presented in the Education Transformation Summit reflects Syria’s experience during the war, how to deal with challenges and its vision for developing education.

In her turn, Minister Santaella affirmed her country’s support and solidarity with Syria’s leadership and people, and the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries through cultural and educational activities in particular.

Minister Santaella referred to the similar circumstances and challenges between the two countries and the need for cooperation to deal with various difficulties in light of the siege.  She underlined the role of youth organizations in Venezuela in promoting cultural and educational activities, revealing an important international educational event that will be held soon in Venezuela, and Syria will be invited to participate in it.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Tabbaa presented Minister Santaella a copy of the Syrian paper on “Transforming Education in the Light of Wars and Disasters.. Education in the Syrian Arab Republic as an Example and a Model.”

Inas Abdulkareem