UNOCHA assessed that 6.5 million people were in need of education assistance in 2026. Although enrolment increased in 2025, access to education remains limited, with 2.75 million children (37 % of school aged children) out of school. Nearly 8 000 schools, around 30 % of the total, are non-functional, and many that remain open lack safe water and sanitation, heating, electricity, and sufficient space.1021 Over a million children were at risk of dropping out, leaving them in increasing ‘susceptibility to exploitation and early marriage’.1022
Classrooms are overcrowded1023 and face shortages of staff1024 and learning materials, leading to reduced learning time for many students.1025 Limited school availability, unsafe conditions, affordability challenges and funding gaps continue to undermine education access.1026 The Ministry of Education stated in November 2025 that since the fall of the previous regime it has completed the renovations of 823 schools across the country, including 88 in Damascus.1027 According to a report by Action for Humanity (AFH), formal and informal education programs are being offered to support children, however, these remained ‘limited in scope’.1028
- 1021
UNOCHA, Syrian Arab Republic: 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (April 2026), 2 April 2026, url, p. 45
- 1022
UNOCHA, Syrian Arab Republic: Humanitarian needs and response plan, 2 April 2026, url, pp. 11, 38
- 1023
ECHO, Humanitarian Implementation Plan. Syria Regional and Lebanon Crisis, 20 January 2026, url, p. 9; Enab Baladi, Damascus schools: High costs and favouritism, 3 March 2025, url
- 1024
UNOCHA, Syrian Arab Republic: 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (April 2026), 2 April 2026, url, p. 45; ECHO, Humanitarian Implementation Plan. Syria Regional and Lebanon Crisis, 20 January 2026, url, p. 9
- 1025
ECHO, Humanitarian Implementation Plan. Syria Regional and Lebanon Crisis, 20 January 2026, url, p. 9; NRC, Beyond return: Ensuring sustainable recovery & (re)-integration in Syria, May 2025, url, p. 7
- 1026
UNHCR, Syria: Protection and Reintegration Insights. Voices of returnees and host communities across Syria (January - March 2026), 28 April 2026, url, p. 20
- 1027
SANA, Syrian Education Ministry completes renovation of 823 schools, 1 November 2025, url
- 1028
AFH, Civilian Perspectives on Humanitarian Needs and Recovery Priorities in Syria, 13 March 2026, url, p. 17