Deir Ezzor, Sept. 15 (SANA)More than 30 schools acrossDeir Ezzorgovernorate are set to be rehabilitated during the first semester of the academic year as part of efforts to restore damagededucation facilitiesand accommodate rising numbers of students returning to the area.

Deir Ezzor Education Director Ali al-Saleh told SANA on Monday that rehabilitation projects targeting schools across the governorate are being prepared as student numbers increase with the return of displaced families from rural areas, northern Syria, Türkiye and European countries.

Al-Saleh said the need for school rehabilitation remains high due to widespread damage to education facilities, with several schools in Deir Ezzor city forced out of service after being damaged during bombardment by the deposed regime.

He added that three schools in the city are scheduled for rehabilitation as part of an emergency response plan. The Education Directorate is also seeking a suitable location to install prefabricated classrooms to accommodate at least first-cycle basic education students during September, he said.

Residents highlighted ongoing challenges caused by damaged schools and limited access to functioning facilities. Abdul Basit Makhzoom and Shaima al-Obaid, residents of al-Ardi neighborhood, said families face difficulties reaching schools due to long distances and the risks of crossing main roads.

Mohammad al-Aani, a resident of the Kanamat neighborhood, said the area has three schools, but they remain damaged.

The Deir Ezzor Education Directorate said the governorate has 1,289 school buildings, including 281 schools that remain out of service. Around 140 schools have been rehabilitated and returned to operation after completing essential maintenance work.