A new school brings hope to children in Rural Damascus
UNICEF rehabilitates a damaged school to provide children with better access to quality and safe learning environment
Hazzeh village, Rural Damascus, Syria- Due to the protracted crisis in Syria, many schools were severely damaged, which negatively affected the learning opportunities of thousands of students across the country. Zuheir Abdul-Al Primary School in the Hazzeh village in Rural Damascus was one of those schools, which became out of service in 2012 due to the ongoing conflict.
Between May 2023 and February 2024, UNICEF stepped in, and through a partner, assessed the school's infrastructure and identified the needed repairs. UNICEF provided repair works, which included, fixing ceilings, floors, doors, and electrical infrastructure, renovating lavatory amenities, and furnishing classrooms with desks. Additionally, ramps, handrails, and a restroom for children with disabilities were installed.
UNICEF/UNI672531/Johnny Shahan
“When I entered the school, I was so excited. It is so big and beautiful.”
Daline, 11, a student from the school, said joyfully expressing her enthusiasm for the improvements.
Furthermore, to meet learning needs of preschool children, UNICEF refurbished one of the rooms to serve as an early childhood education classroom. The room was completed with necessary enhancements, including dedicated water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities as well as a playground. The local community of Hazzeh village later took the initiative to furnish this classroom, facilitating its use.
UNICEF/UNI672536/Johnny Shahan
“Reopening this school alleviated the strain on other overcrowded schools in the area. Teachers were previously struggling to provide quality learning to large numbers of students crammed into small, inadequate spaces.”
Majida, 50, the principal of the school, explained, highlighting the importance of rehabilitating the school for quality education.
Around 400 students were transferred to the rehabilitated school, which reopened and became fully functional at the start of the 2024/2025 academic year.
"The weather is hot, but I love that I can fill up my water bottle as many times as I want!"
“Learning letters is great. I am eager to learn them all to read stories without any help,”
“Last year, I drew my dream school, and it came true! Now, I'm drawing my dream house, hoping it will become true next year, too.”
“When students entered the newly rehabilitated classroom, they were extremely happy. They are keeping it clean and tidy.”
“My teacher said that I am a smart student. I want to learn everything as I want to become a surgeon when I grow up.”
“I have a pen, a pencil, a notebook, and a bottle of water in my backpack. I want to learn all the letters this year to make my parents proud.”
“Parents felt reassured knowing their children are now learning in safe and well-equipped classrooms, allowing them to better concentrate on their studies,” the school principal emphasized, reflecting on the repairs positive impact on both families and students.
Since January 2023, UNICEF has supported the rehabilitation of 35 schools across Syria. These interventions were possible because of the contributions from the Government of Japan, Norway, Bulgaria, Finland; Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID); the European Union and Government of Norway under the UN Joint Programme to Build and Strengthen Urban and Rural Resilience and the Conditions for Recovery in Syria; UNICEF’s Global Humanitarian Thematic Fund; and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the KFW Development Bank.
