Advancing Quality Inclusive Education for Children in Syria .
April 12, 2023
Through the pioneering Syria Education Programme (also known as Manahel), Chemonics is providing children in northwest Syria with access to high-quality education and help to thrive in the face of conflict and multiple crises.
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Lily is a nine-year-old girl from northwest Syria who has Down’s syndrome. Like many other children with disabilities in northwest Syria, Lily missed out on her early school years due to a lack of accessible classrooms and trained teachers. This experience was exacerbated by conflict and instability which made even the most basic services hard to reach.
Lily’s parents were determined to do everything they could to further her education and, a year ago, decided to search for a place where their daughter could make friends, have adventures, and live a meaningful life. Her mother enrolled her in a nearby centre for children with disabilities but it turned out to be inadequately equipped and failed to meet Lily’s specialised mental health needs or protect her from harm, with Lily exhibiting signs of anti-social behaviour.
Lily’s mother refused to give up hope of finding a suitable school where her daughter would be safe and receive the individualised care she needed. A few weeks later, she learned about a centre which provides inclusive education and quality support for children with disabilities operated by the Manahel Programme, which provides education to primary school-aged children.
The next day, Lily’s mother visited the Manahel-supported special education centre to have a look around before bringing Lily. Manahel supports 157 schools with technical delivery including literacy and numeracy, psychosocial support, and safeguarding support. Within these schools, the programme has established 34 specialised education centres to help the future integration of students, supporting a total of 182 children (51% female). Manahel has trained several teachers on inclusive education concepts and tools, mental health promotion, and the identification of psychological, social, and behavioural concerns.
Lily learning with pictures of animals at the Manahel-supported special education centre
Lily’s mother described Lily’s requirements and the negative experiences she had received at the other centre. The special education teacher at Manahel, who has many years of experience and has cared for dozens of children with similar needs, reassured Lily’s mother by explaining the support programme and her background in special education. The teacher also described Manahel’s integration approach and how she would create an individualised education plan for Lily to help her transition into mainstream classes. Lily’s mother was comforted by the discussion and felt that she had finally found an environment where Lily could thrive.
The teacher spent a few days with Lily to help her settle in and get to know her personalised needs after her arrival. She developed an Individual Education Plan for Lily, detailing her specific requirements and the services that the school would offer to meet them. This plan outlined a series of objectives designed to help Lily build confidence and positive social habits with her peers.
“Lily feels safe and happy, especially when she is carrying out her activities. I am proud of her achievements so far. Together with her remarkable capabilities, we will achieve what others believe is impossible.”
Lily's teacher
In her first year since enrolling in the special education centre, Lily has made tremendous strides towards the goals set out for her. She has shown a remarkable curiosity for the world around her and an eagerness to interact with others. Although her case is complex, she is now able to identify different colours, shapes, and sizes. She can perform basic arithmetic and her social skills have improved. Her mother praised the dedication and excellent work of her teacher.
Banner image: Lily and her teacher at the Manahel-supported special education centre.
In order to protect the individuals involved in the Syria Education Programme, all names of people and locations have either been altered or removed, as has any information that may identify people or locations.
The Syria Education Programme (also known as Manahel) is funded by UK aid from the UK government and implemented by Chemonics International. Manahel provides access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning opportunities to children in Syria whilst strengthening education actors to manage education effectively.
