Damascus, July 7 (SANA)Syria’sMinistry of Educationconvened the first meeting of theLocal Education Group(LEG) on Monday, bringing together government institutions, international organizations and development partners to strengthen coordination and support the recovery of the country’seducation sector.

The meeting, organized in cooperation with the Ministries of Finance and Social Affairs and Labor, the Planning and Statistics Authority, and partner organizations, reviewed education priorities and reinforced the group’s role as the ministry’s main platform for coordinating policies and development efforts.

Education MinisterAbdul Rahman Turkosaid the ministry’s strategy focuses on ensuring every Syrian child’s right to equitable, inclusive and quality education while strengthening teacher capacity and expanding partnerships with national and international institutions.

Turko said school enrollment has increased from 3.9 million students at the time of Syria’s liberation to more than 5 million within 18 months, reflecting the return of displaced students, refugees and children who had dropped out of school.

He added that more than 1,500 schools have been rehabilitated and returned to service out of around 8,000 requiring repairs, while work is underway to restore another 1,000 schools.

Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh said education, healthcare and social protection have become the government’s top budget priorities for the first time. He said funding continues for school rehabilitation, improving conditions for education workers and supporting teachers in remote areas, while the next phase will focus on vocational and digital education and expanding cooperation with international partners.

Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat stressed the importance of educating women and girls and integrating persons with disabilities into the education system, describing education as a cornerstone of stability and social cohesion.

Planning and Statistics Authority Chairman Anas Salim said the authority will provide educational data and indicators to support evidence-based policymaking and strengthen coordination among stakeholders.

Kathrin Lober, representing the German Embassy in Syria on behalf of donor countries participating in the Local Education Group, said international partners are expanding support for school rehabilitation and education programs in coordination with the ministry.

UNICEFRepresentative in Syria Meritxell Relano Arana said the Local Education Group provides a strategic platform for coordinating resources and directing support to schools and communities most in need, helping build a more resilient and sustainable education system.

The Ministry of Education launched the Local Education Group (LEG) in December 2025 to coordinate education policies and programs with national and international organizations operating in Syria in line with the ministry’s priorities.