Photo essay

Backing students’ success during national examinations

How UNICEF is supporting learners across Syria to thrive and reach their full potential

By Sandra Awad

Azhar, 16, and Sham, 16, revise their lessons together during a Grade 9 science class at a UNICEF-supported self-learning centre in Rural Damascus. — UNICEF/UNI796921/Johnny Shahan

20 May 2025

Harasta, Rural Damascus — As Syria’s national exams approach in June 2025, thousands of students across the country are intensifying their preparations. For out-of-school learners enrolled in UNICEF supported centers, this period marks a critical milestone.

With support from UNICEF, and through structured sessions, the out-of-school students are going over lessons to understand what they need to learn and to stay on track with their studies. Many of them are returning to education after years of disruption due to conflict, displacement or poverty, and are determined to earn a formal certificate and build a better future.

UNICEF/UNI796935/Johnny Shahan Mr. Mahmoud leads a physics session. “After recent political changes, students have become more optimistic and determined to pursue their dreams,” he says.

UNICEF/UNI796937/Johnny Shahan Khaled, 18, attends a mathematics class. “I dropped out of school to work,” he says. “But to become an engineer, I knew I had to return to school.”

UNICEF/UNI796941/Johnny Shahan Marah, 18, tackles a physics question. “Seeing my childhood home destroyed made me want to become an architect to help rebuild people’s lives,” she says.

UNICEF/UNI796936/Johnny Shahan Hala, 19, revises for her physics exam. “I enrolled at this centre after verifying the teachers’ qualifications.,” she says. “They exceeded all my expectations.”

UNICEF/UNI796938/Johnny Shahan Mr. Mahmoud teaches physics to 12th-grade students. “Most of them had been out of school for years,” he says. “We work hard to help them catch up.”

In Harasta, Rural Damascus, UNICEF supports a self-learning centre that delivers the self-learning programme to out-of-school children and adolescents. The centre offers a safe, inclusive environment where students prepare for Grades 9 and 12 national exams (using the national curriculum) with the help of trained facilitators, structured lessons, and educational supplies. Core subjects include Arabic, English, mathematics, and science. This support is helping young learners reclaim their right to education.

UNICEF/UNI796922/Johnny Shahan Khalil, 17, attends a Grade 9 science revision session. “I left school to help support my family,” he says. “Now I’m back and determined to become an architect.”

UNICEF/UNI796924/Johnny Shahan Azhar, 16, participates in a Grade 9 intensive science revision session. “We returned from Lebanon this year,” she says. “Thanks to the dedicated teachers here, I’ve adjusted quickly and now feel hopeful for my future in Syria.”

UNICEF/UNI796923/Johnny Shahan Nour, 20, revises her lessons in preparation for her Grade 9 science exam. “I failed last year,” she says. “But with the encouragement of my teachers and family, I believe I’ll succeed this time.”

UNICEF/UNI796929/Johnny Shahan Basheer, 18, engaged in learning, while writing on the whiteboard. “After my father passed away, I had to support my family,” he says. “This centre gave me a second chance at education.”

UNICEF/UNI796930/Johnny Shahan Tasneem, 17, smiles during a science revision class. “I want to become a lawyer,” she says. “Passing Grade 9 is my first step toward that goal.”

UNICEF/UNI796928/Johnny Shahan Khaled, 16, focuses during a Grade 9 science session. “Math used to scare me,” he says. “Now it’s my favourite subject.”

UNICEF/UNI796939/Johnny Shahan Abdulrahman, 19, goes through mathematics exam questions. “Our teachers are professional and patient,” he says. “They made sure we understood everything.”

UNICEF/UNI796934/Johnny Shahan Khalil, 19, and Farouk, 18, take part in a mathematics revision session.

UNICEF/UNI796933/Johnny Shahan Ms. Rama, a teacher, leads a Grade 12 mathematics revision session. “Teaching is more than delivering lessons,” she says. “It’s about motivating and reassuring students.”

UNICEF/UNI796932/Johnny Shahan Farouk, 18, revises a mathematics lesson. “At first, I returned to education to delay military service,” he says. “Now I’m studying to become an IT engineer.”

UNICEF/UNI796940/Johnny Shahan Suleiman, 19, engaged in learning, while writing on the whiteboard as Ms. Rama, the teacher, guides him. “I failed last year,” he says. “Now, I’m confident and aiming for a degree in economics.”

Since January 2024, in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the KfW Development Bank, the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), the Government of Japan, and UNICEF National Committee for Ireland, UNICEF has reached more than 35,000 children through the self-learning programme to help them continue their education.

Backing students’ success during national examinations

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