Bringing schools back to life, one classroom at a time
UNICEF repairs schools, turning damaged buildings into joyful spaces for children to grow and learn
Jaramana, Rural Damascus, Syria- For years, the children in Jaramana city in Rural Damascus attended a school that was falling apart. The Nazih Munzer school had grown old after years of use, its classrooms had broken windows and desks too damaged to use. Learning was difficult, but the children came anyway, holding on to their dreams.
In 2025, UNICEF helped give those dreams a brighter home. With UNICEF’s support, the school was transformed into a colorful, welcoming, and safe space where every child can learn and grow.
The rehabilitation included repairing the roof, fixing windows and doors, providing new desks and classroom furniture, and improving water and sanitation facilities, ensuring they are safe, private, and accessible for children with disabilities. A solar energy system was also installed to provide sustainable power for the school.
This academic year, everything looks and feels different. Sunlight now fills the freshly painted classrooms. Walls are bright with cheerful, child-friendly drawings, new desks line the rooms, and the schoolyard, once filled with unsafe, abandoned structures, is now a shaded space where children can learn, play, and rest.
For children with disabilities, new ramps, handrails, and an accessible toilet mean that every part of the school is open to them. Clean toilets and safe drinking areas help every student feel comfortable and respected. Even on cloudy days, the solar-powered lights keep classrooms bright, keeping learning alive.
Today, more than 2,300 students attend Nazih Munzer School in two shifts each day. The once-quiet hallways are alive again with laughter, curiosity, and the energy of children who finally have the safe, supportive space they deserve.
Since the beginning of 2025, UNICEF rehabilitated of 24 schools across Syria, giving more than 16,400 children the chance to learn in safe and inclusive environments. This work is made possible thanks to the invaluable partnerships with EU Humanitarian Aid; the Government of Finland; and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
